Mamata Banerjees close aide Asish Banerjee found dead at TMC office, suicide note found
Banerjee was a former minister and a five-time MLA from Rampurhat and represented the constituency for 25 consecutive years, from 2001 to 2026.
PTC News Desk: Trinamool Congress leader and former West Bengal Assembly Deputy Speaker Asish Banerjee was found hanging inside a party office in Birbhum district on Sunday morning.
Banerjee was a former minister and a five-time MLA from Rampurhat. He represented the constituency for 25 consecutive years, from 2001 to 2026. However, he lost the seat to BJP candidate Dhruba Saha in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.
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His body was found in a TMC office located next to his home in Rampurhat. Just a day earlier, he had taken part in a local Independence Day celebration and hoisted the national flag.
Police also recovered a purported suicide note. In the letter, Banerjee reportedly denied any involvement in corruption during his political career. He referred to allegations related to the Tarapith Rampurhat Development Authority, where he had earlier served as chairman.
He claimed that he was not involved in decisions related to tenders, cheque issuance, plan approvals or no-objection certificates. He also alleged that attempts were being made to defame and humiliate him. Banerjee reportedly wrote that he regretted entering politics and was not always able to speak out against alleged wrongdoing within his party.
After losing the election, he had reportedly become less active in politics. His death comes months after the TMC lost power in West Bengal following 15 years in government, with the BJP forming the new government after the 2026 Assembly elections.
The exact circumstances behind his death are still unclear. Police have started an investigation, and the body has been sent for a postmortem examination.