TMC Leader Ashish Banerjee Found Dead at Party Office; Suicide Note Recovered, Police Probe Underway

New Delhi: Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and former West Bengal Assembly Deputy Speaker Ashish Banerjee was found dead under suspicious circumstances at a party office in Rampurhat, Birbhum district, on Sunday morning. Police said his body was found hanging inside the office and has been sent for post-mortem examination.

According to Birbhum police, a suicide note was also recovered from the spot. Investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the death, while further details are awaited.

Former Deputy Speaker and Minister in Mamata Government
Ashish Banerjee was a prominent TMC leader and had served as Deputy Speaker of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly during Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s tenure. He had also served as the state’s Education and Agriculture Minister after the TMC came to power.

Banerjee represented the Rampurhat Assembly constituency as an MLA five times and remained an important figure in West Bengal’s TMC politics for several years.

Defeated by BJP Candidate in Recent Assembly Polls
In the latest West Bengal Assembly elections, Banerjee contested from Rampurhat but was defeated by BJP candidate Dhruba Saha.

Banerjee’s family resides in Rampurhat’s Hattalapara area. Following news of his death, a large number of TMC workers and local residents gathered outside the party office, where the incident took place.

Resigned as Birbhum District TMC President in June
On June 2, Banerjee had resigned from the posts of TMC Birbhum district president and chairman of the district core committee. At the time, he said the core committee had become inactive and was no longer required. He had indicated that he would continue in the party only as an ordinary member.

The police have begun investigating the circumstances of his death. The post-mortem report and ongoing investigation are expected to provide further clarity on the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.