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Former West Bengal Assembly Deputy Speaker and veteran Trinamool Congress leader Ashish Banerjee was found dead inside a party office adjoining his residence in Rampurhat, Birbhum, on Sunday, August 16, with police recovering a purported suicide note from the spot.
A large crowd gathered outside the office and his residence after news of his death spread. Banerjee’s body was sent for post-mortem examination.
Birbhum Superintendent of Police Vidit Raj Bhundesh told The Indian Express that it was “primarily” a suicide case and that a note had been recovered. The officer said the note stated: “No one is responsible for my death.”
The purported note, written in Bengali on Banerjee’s letterhead, contained his denial of corruption allegations and references to his political career. It reportedly said: “I was never involved in corruption. It was a blunder to join politics.” He also expressed regret over entering politics and advised younger members of his family to stay away from politics and concentrate on their professions.
The note also reportedly addressed his role in the Tarapith Rampurhat Development Authority (TRDA). He said he had no substantial responsibilities in the authority beyond attending general meetings and denied involvement in financial matters.
“I had no responsibilities at the TRDA other than attending general meetings. I was not on the tender committee. I did not have the authority to sign cheques. I was not involved in approving plans or issuing ‘no objection’ certificates,” Banerjee wrote.
The note further stated: “I condemn what has been done against me to malign me.”
The note also reportedly contained a reference to his inability to oppose alleged wrongdoing within the party. He said, “We had differences in our political ideology but there was no enmity. I could never protest against the party’s misdeeds.”
Banerjee had a long political career in West Bengal. He represented the Rampurhat constituency as a Trinamool Congress MLA for five consecutive terms from 2001 to 2026. During Mamata Banerjee’s tenure as chief minister, he served as Deputy Speaker of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly and held ministerial responsibilities, including School Education and Agriculture.
His political career, however, suffered a setback in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections when he lost the Rampurhat seat to BJP candidate Dhruba Saha, who defeated Banerjee by around 24,000 votes.
Banerjee had also stepped down as chairman of the Trinamool Congress’s Birbhum district core committee in June, while indicating that he would continue as a general member of the party.
His death comes months after the Trinamool Congress lost power in West Bengal following 15 years in government. The 2026 Assembly election saw the BJP emerge as the ruling party, while several former TMC leaders and legislators have faced corruption-related investigations and arrests.
If you are aware of anyone facing mental health issues or feeling suicidal, please provide help. Here are some helpline numbers of suicide-prevention organisations that can offer emotional support to individuals and families.
Tamil Nadu
State health department's suicide helpline: 104
Sneha Suicide Prevention Centre - 044-24640050 (listed as the sole suicide prevention helpline in Tamil Nadu)
Andhra Pradesh
Life Suicide Prevention: 78930 78930
Roshni: 9166202000, 9127848584
Karnataka
Sahai (24-hour): 080 65000111, 080 65000222
Kerala
Maithri: 0484 2540530
Chaithram: 0484 2361161
Both are 24-hour helpline numbers.
Telangana
State government's suicide prevention (tollfree): 104
Roshni: 040 66202000, 6620200
SEVA: 09441778290, 040 27504682 (between 9 am and 7 pm
Aasara offers support to individuals and families during an emotional crisis, for those dealing with mental health issues and suicidal ideation, and to those undergoing trauma after the suicide of a loved one.
24x7 Helpline: 9820466726
Click here for working helplines across India.
