Sunil Mukherjee

Sunil Mukherjee (16 November 1914 - 30 March 1992) was an Indian politician and leader of Communist Party of India. He was the founder secretary of Communist Party of India Bihar unit.

Biography Early life He was born on 16 November 1914 in the town of Bhagalpur, Bihar and Orissa Province at his maternal uncle's house. His childhood was spent in Munger. His father Nirapada Mukherjee was a pleader, later settled down in Munger, becoming a workers’ and Congress leader. Sunil got admitted in 4th class in 1921-22.

Sunil's uncle Tarapada Mukherjee, who worked in post office and was a firm nationalist and anti-British, deeply influenced him. Tarapada resigned from his post and began to work in workers’ union. After his death Sunil's father Nirapada changed completely and joined the Congress after resigning his post. He decided to give everything to Congress and for freedom. He was arrested in 1930. Later he became parliamentary secretary and a minister in Congress governments and fought many elections, winning all.

Sunil's mother came from the family of Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, who was her uncle.

Work in communal riots in Jamshedpur, 1964 There were severe riots in Jamshedpur in 1964. The Tatas with the help of communal forces organized them. They were among the most horrible ones. Sunil Mukherjee, Kedar Das and others worked very hard to restore peace. Sunil helped the authorities to locate the centres of communal elements wherefrom they organized the riots.

Arrest in 1965 Sunil Mukherjee was very active during the anti-Congress wave of the 1960s. He and Ram Manohar Lohia were arrested in 1965. Many leaders were beaten and arrested in Patna Gandhi Maidan.

Samyukta Vidhayak Dal government was formed in 1967. Dr Lohia offered Sunil Mukherjee the chief ministership, but the latter declined as this would create controversy: Samyukta Socialist Party (SSP) was the biggest party in the coalition. Meetings of the Samyukta Vidhayak Dal used to be held at Sunil Mukherjee's residence. It was he who conveyed the decision to make Mahamaya Pd Singh the CM: he was happy beyond words! There were proposals to make Sunil Mukherjee too a minister but he refused.

He was the leader of CPI group in Assembly in 1962-67 and 1969-77. He was leader of opposition during 1973-77.

Secretary of party again Sunil Mukherjee was elected secretary of Bihar CPI after Bhatinda congress (1978), from 1978 to 1984. He was member of central executive committee (CEC) of CPI from 1978 to 1984. Earlier he was also CC member in united party.

He died on 30 March 1992, after prolonged illness.