Tragic Death of Former West Bengal Deputy Speaker Raises Questions
Former Deputy Speaker Found Dead
A family member of former deputy speaker mourns after the latter was found hanging, at a TMC party office in Birbhum, on Sunday. (Photo :PTI)
Rampurhat (WB), Aug 16: Ashis Banerjee, the former deputy speaker of the West Bengal Assembly, was discovered hanging at a Trinamool Congress office in Birbhum district on Sunday morning, according to police reports.
Authorities found a suspected suicide note at the party office located near his home in Hattala Para, Rampurhat.
The note, which has circulated widely on social media, allegedly states that Banerjee held no one accountable for his death and expressed remorse for his political involvement. However, the authenticity of this note has not been independently verified.
Law enforcement officials arrived at the scene and have sent the body for a post-mortem examination. The specific details surrounding his death remain unclear, and police are currently investigating the note's contents along with other relevant factors.
In the one-page note, Banerjee asserted that he had never engaged in corrupt practices or accepted bribes for any services rendered.
He mentioned that while he could not always condone the "wrongdoings" within the party, he felt powerless to voice his objections.
The note also referenced the Tarapith-Rampurhat Development Authority (TRDA), with Banerjee denying any involvement in its tender processes, cheque distributions, plan approvals, or no-objection certificates.
He claimed that there were efforts to "defame" and belittle him, expressing that his entry into politics was a mistake.
Having been politically active since his student days and also serving as a teacher, Banerjee advised his family against pursuing a political career, reminiscing about the affection he received from his students.
A seasoned TMC leader, Banerjee had represented Rampurhat in the state Assembly from 2001 until 2026.
He served as the deputy speaker and held various ministerial roles, including those in school education and agriculture, under the Mamata Banerjee administration.
Banerjee contested the 2026 Assembly elections on a TMC ticket but was defeated by BJP's Dhruva Saha by over 24,000 votes. Following this loss, he reportedly became less active in political affairs, according to party insiders.
His passing occurs just months after the TMC lost its long-standing governance in West Bengal, with the BJP taking control after the 2026 Assembly elections.
This shift in political dynamics has led to numerous former TMC leaders and legislators facing investigations and arrests related to corruption.
Authorities are looking into whether Banerjee's death was a suicide and, if so, what circumstances led to this tragic decision.
The post-mortem findings and the details of the purported note are anticipated to provide further insights into the events surrounding his death.