KOLKATA: Veteran Trinamool Congress leader and former West Bengal Assembly Deputy Speaker Asish Banerjee was found dead at a party office in Rampurhat, Birbhum, on Sunday morning, sending shockwaves through political circles in the state.
Banerjee, 74, was found at the TMC office located near his residence. Police have recovered what is being described as a purported handwritten suicide note from the premises. His body has been sent for post-mortem examination, while an investigation is underway to establish the circumstances surrounding his death.
According to reports, the one-page note, written in Bengali, allegedly stated that no individual should be held responsible for his death. In the note, Banerjee is also reported to have expressed regret over entering politics and advised younger members of his family to concentrate on their professional careers rather than pursue politics.
The purported note also reportedly addressed allegations concerning the Tarapith-Rampurhat Development Authority (TRDA). Banerjee allegedly stated that his involvement with the authority was limited to attending general meetings and that he had no role in tender decisions, cheque signing, building-plan approvals or the issuance of no-objection certificates.
He further claimed that he had never engaged in corruption or accepted money in exchange for getting work done. The note reportedly referred to what he described as attempts to damage his reputation and said he had found it difficult to oppose certain actions within the Trinamool Congress.
Banerjee had been a prominent figure in Bengal politics for decades. He represented the Rampurhat Assembly constituency from 2001 until 2026 and was elected to the seat five times. His long run as an MLA ended in the 2026 Assembly election, when BJP candidate Dhruba Saha defeated him from Rampurhat.
A former minister in the Mamata Banerjee government, Asish Banerjee had handled portfolios including school education and agriculture and later served as Deputy Speaker of the West Bengal Assembly. Official Assembly records also list him as the Deputy Speaker.
His political career had faced a major setback earlier this year following the Assembly election defeat. In June, Banerjee resigned as chairman of the TMC’s Birbhum district core committee, saying the committee had become non-functional, while indicating that he would continue as an ordinary party member.
The circumstances surrounding his death are yet to be conclusively established. Police investigation and the post-mortem examination are expected to provide further clarity.
