Former Bengal Deputy Speaker Ashis Banerjee Found Dead in Trinamool Congress Office
Ashis Banerjee, the veteran politician who once served as deputy speaker of the West Bengal Assembly, was found dead on Sunday morning. His body was
Ashis Banerjee, the veteran politician who once served as deputy speaker of the West Bengal Assembly, was found dead on Sunday morning. His body was discovered hanging inside a Trinamool Congress (TMC) party office located in Rampurhat, within the Birbhum district.
Police authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. The body has been sent for a post-mortem examination while officials work to piece together the events leading to his death. A handwritten note, purportedly left by Banerjee, was recovered from the premises near his Hattala Para residence.
Political Tensions and Public Claims
The discovery of the note has drawn significant attention. Reports indicate that the document, which circulated on social media, suggests Banerjee felt under immense political pressure. In the writing, he expressed regret over his entry into the political arena and maintained his innocence regarding various corruption allegations that have surrounded recent times.
Banerjee wrote that he had never accepted money for favors or participated in corrupt activities. He also confessed that while he often disagreed with certain internal party practices, he felt unable to openly voice his opposition. TMC spokesperson Nilanjan Das described the situation as shocking and deeply saddening, sharing images of the note online.
A Career of Long Service
Banerjee was a prominent figure in regional politics, serving as a legislator for Rampurhat for five consecutive terms from 2001 until 2026. During his tenure under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, he held key ministerial roles, including oversight of agriculture and school education departments.
The veteran leader's later years were marked by a shifting political landscape. Earlier this year, he resigned from his position as chairman of the TMC’s Birbhum district core committee. This followed a period of internal friction where he and others raised concerns that the committee was failing to meet its political obligations during election cycles. His passing leaves behind his wife and son.
Mamata Banerjee has expressed her grief over the loss, highlighting what she described as the human toll caused by persistent political hostility. She characterized the late leader as someone who had been repeatedly maligned and subjected to false accusations during his career.
