The West Bengal Power Minister and veteran CPIM leader Mrinal Banerjee died in Kolkata today after prolonged illness .He was 72.Banerjee was suffering from cancer and was admitted to a private hospital in the city few days back.<br/><br/>He became the Minister in Jyoti Basu’s cabinet in 1996. West Bengal Chief Minister Mr.Buddhadeb Bhattercharya and other CPI(M) leaders have condoled his death . The State Government offices were closed at 2pm today to pay respect to the departed soul. His last rites will be performed at his native village in Burdwan tomorrow.