Shock in Bengal Politics: Former Deputy Speaker Asish Banerjee Found Hanging at TMC Office in Birbhum

West Bengal’s political circles were left stunned on Sunday after Asish Banerjee, former Deputy Speaker of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly and a veteran Trinamool Congress TMC leader, was found hanging inside a party office in Rampurhat, Birbhum district. The 74-year-old leader’s death has triggered shock across the state’s political spectrum and prompted a police investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. According to police officials, Banerjee’s body was discovered inside a TMC party office located near his residence in the Hattala Para area of Rampurhat. A purported suicide note was also recovered from the spot and has been seized for forensic examination. Authorities have sent the body for post-mortem while investigators examine all aspects of the case. Banerjee was one of the most prominent political figures in Birbhum and a five-time MLA from the Rampurhat constituency. Over a political career spanning more than two decades, he served as a minister in the Mamata Banerjee government and later as Deputy Speaker of the West Bengal Assembly, earning a reputation as one of the Trinamool Congress’s senior-most leaders in the district. Reports suggest that a handwritten note recovered from the scene stated that no one should be held responsible for his death. Portions of the note circulating in media reports reportedly express regret over entering politics and emphasize that he was never involved in corruption. However, police have not yet officially authenticated the contents of the note. The incident comes just months after Banerjee suffered a major political setback in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, ending his 25-year tenure as Rampurhat MLA. Reports also indicate that he had recently voiced concerns about the functioning of the party and had become increasingly disillusioned following electoral and organizational developments. Senior TMC leaders, party workers, and local residents rushed to the scene as news of the tragedy spread. Messages of condolence poured in from across the political spectrum, with leaders remembering Banerjee as a seasoned politician who played a significant role in shaping the party’s presence in Birbhum and across West Bengal. Police officials have stressed that the exact cause and circumstances of death will be determined only after the completion of the post-mortem examination and forensic analysis. Investigators are examining the recovered note, reviewing evidence from the scene, and speaking with family members and associates. The death of Asish Banerjee marks the end of a long political career that saw him rise from academia to become one of West Bengal’s most recognizable political figures. As investigations continue, the tragic incident has once again brought attention to the intense pressures of public life and has left a profound sense of grief across Bengal’s political landscape.