India’s Most Beloved TUTU Da Passes Away.

Kolkata; May 2026: Nation’s one of the most revered football administrator Mohun Bagan Ratna Swapan Sadhan Bose, affectionately known across India’s sporting circles as Tutu Bose, passed away just before the stroke of midnight on 12th May 2026 at the age of 78 years.

Tutu Bose (23 January 1948 – 12 May 2026), was an Indian politician from All India Trinamool Congress who was a Member of the Parliament of India representing West Bengal in the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Parliament. He is also the president of Mohun Bagan Athletic Club, and a member of the Federation International Football Association (FIFA) Club Task Force.  He was one of the most influential sports administrators in the history of Mohun Bagan Athletic Club, India’s oldest and most decorated football institution. A businessman, politician, and long‑time club president, Bose’s leadership spanned decades and coincided with some of the most transformative phases in Indian football.

Born on 23 January 1948 in Howrah, West Bengal, Bose studied at St. Xavier’s College and later completed his LLB from the University of Calcutta. His professional life included the ownership of the cargo-handling Ripley & Co which had a turnover of ₹3 billion in 2008–09. In Dubai, where Bose spends more than half his time now, he runs Radio Asia Network and the Dolphin Recording Studio. The radio network — Radio Asia (AM) in Malayalam, Suno 1024 (FM) in Hindi/Urdu and Super 947 (FM) in Malayalam and Tamil — reaches out to Indians in West Asia. The interest in media is not new, though. He diversified his business interests through the Bengali newspaper Sangbad Pratidin in August 1992. In the mid-1990s, he launched the Kolkata edition of The Asian Age, which he exited towards the end of the decade by selling a 74 per cent stake to Vijay Mallya.

In his early years, Bose was known to be close to the Communist Party of India (Marxist), and was said to have some business ties with late Jyoti Basu’s son, Chandan Basu. It was during those times that Bose acquired a 74 per cent stake in state-owned Niramoy Polyclinic (later AMRI, now rechristened as Manipal Hospitals) along with S K Todi, also known for his Left leanings. It was given on lease to the consortium. Later, in 1996, Bose sold his stake to Emami.

Bose changed his political affiliation to the Trinamool Congress in early 2000. In 2005, he became a Member of Parliament. His son, Srinjoy Bose, took his place in the Rajya Sabha from the Trinamool Congress in 2011.

Tutu Bose first became President of Mohun Bagan AC in 1989–90, beginning what would become one of the longest presidential tenures in Indian club football.

During these 28 years, he oversaw:

• Institutional modernisation of the Mohun Bagan Athletic Club;
• Stabilisation of finances during turbulent periods;
• Strengthening of the club’s footballing structure;
• Expansion of Mohun Bagan’s national and international visibility;
• His leadership style emphasised continuity, tradition, and administrative stability, qualities that helped Mohun Bagan remain competitive across eras.

In June 2017, he stepped down citing health reasons, marking the end of an era. But his departure was temporary. In May 2022, he was re‑elected as President, demonstrating the trust and affection the club’s members continued to place in him.

In April 2025, he officially retired from all positions at Mohun Bagan, calling the club “family” and requesting to step away gracefully as a new board was being formed.

His long tenure provided Mohun Bagan with rare administrative continuity, allowing the club to:

• Maintain a consistent footballing philosophy;
• Build long‑term financial and infrastructural plans;
• Navigate political and sporting transitions smoothly.

This stability was crucial during the 1990s and 2000s, when Indian football lacked structural coherence. Under his leadership, Mohun Bagan:

• Remained a top contender in national tournaments;
• Enhanced its brand value and fan engagement;
• Preserved its identity as a heritage club while adapting to modern football;
• His presidency coincided with major successes in the National Football League and I‑League eras.

Suvro Sanyal – Team Maverick.