Former Union Minister and senior Trinamool Congress leader Ajit Panja passed away at Peerless Hospital in Kolkata on Thursday night.

He was suffering from cancer. Panja was admitted to the hospital on October 25.

The 72-year-old Ajit Panja was a member of West Bengal Assembly and was elected as an MP in 1984. He served as a Union I&B Minister during the tenures of late Prime Ministers Rajiv Gandhi and P V Narasimha Rao. He also held different portfolios such as Planning, Food & Supplies and Finance in Rajiv Gandhi's cabinet.

He was also a member in Atal Bihari Vajapyee's Ministry holding External Affairs department as a state Minister.

Panja was elected to West Bengal assembly several times.