KOLKATA: Ashis Banerjee, a former deputy speaker of the West Bengal Assembly and a senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader, was discovered deceased on Sunday morning inside a party office located in the Hattala Para area of Rampurhat, Birbhum district.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the 74-year-old leader, who had represented the Rampurhat Assembly constituency for approximately 25 years before his electoral defeat in the 2026 Assembly elections, was found hanging. He is survived by his wife and son.
Police officials stated that a document, believed to be a suicide note, was recovered from the scene at the party office. The authenticity of this note, which has also been circulated on social media platforms, is yet to be independently verified by authorities.
According to preliminary police reports, the contents of the purported note indicate that no individual is to be held responsible for Mr. Banerjee’s death. The note reportedly expresses regret over his decision to enter politics and references allegations and controversies that have surrounded him in recent months.
Upon receiving information, law enforcement reached the site and subsequently transported the body for a post-mortem examination. Investigations into the precise circumstances leading to his death are underway, and the details within the alleged suicide note are also under scrutiny.
Mr. Banerjee’s political career began during his student years, and he also worked as a teacher. He served as the MLA for Rampurhat consecutively from 2001 until 2026. During his tenure, he held the position of deputy speaker and also served in ministerial roles, including portfolios for school education and agriculture, under the Mamata Banerjee administration.
The one-page note reportedly asserts that Mr. Banerjee had never engaged in corrupt practices or accepted monetary compensation for facilitating work. It also allegedly states that while he sometimes disagreed with certain party actions, he found himself unable to openly contest them. The document further purportedly mentions the Tarapith-Rampurhat Development Authority, claiming Mr. Banerjee had no involvement in decisions concerning tenders, cheque issuances, plan approvals, or no-objection certificates, and that attempts were made to tarnish his reputation.
In the note, Mr. Banerjee is reported to have advised his family members against entering politics, recalling the affection he received from his former students.
Reacting to the news, TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee commented that the contents of the purported note raise significant and concerning questions regarding an alleged campaign against the former MLA. Describing Mr. Banerjee as a lifelong educator and public servant, Abhishek Banerjee highlighted his decades of service characterized by honesty, dignity, and simplicity. He also suggested that political accusations and media coverage can have detrimental effects when reputations are judged prematurely.
Senior TMC leader Kunal Ghosh called for a neutral investigation, stating it would be premature to definitively conclude that Mr. Banerjee died by suicide. Ghosh alleged that the former MLA had faced political pressure, though these claims remain unverified.
BJP MLA Dhruva Saha, who defeated Mr. Banerjee in the 2026 Assembly polls, expressed sorrow and demanded a thorough investigation. Saha mentioned visiting Mr. Banerjee’s residence after his electoral victory to seek blessings and stated that the residents of Rampurhat and Birbhum deserve to understand the events that transpired.
Mr. Banerjee, a prominent TMC figure in the Birbhum district, was also actively involved during the period when Anubrata Mondal served as the party’s district president. In June of the current year, he resigned from his position as TMC district president, affirming his continued membership in the party.
His death occurs in the period following the TMC’s defeat in West Bengal, concluding 15 years in power, with the BJP forming the government after the 2026 Assembly elections. The shift in the state’s political landscape has been accompanied by investigations and arrests involving a number of former TMC leaders.
Police have indicated that the exact chain of events leading to Mr. Banerjee’s demise is still unclear. Investigators are examining all facets of the case, including the purported note, and the post-mortem report is anticipated to provide further crucial details.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
