'Repeatedly Maligned, Falsely Accused': Mamata Banerjee On Death Of Ex-Bengal Deputy Speaker

Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee on Sunday condoled the death of Asish Banerjee, former Deputy Speaker of the West Bengal Assembly, alleging that he faced intense harassment and mental pressure in recent times. Asish Banerjee, a five-time MLA from the Rampurhat Assembly constituency, was found dead hanging inside the party office at his home early Sunday morning. A suicide note was reportedly recovered from the spot, in which he reportedly wrote that entering politics had been a mistake. Taking to X, Mamata Banerjee said, “The passing of Asish Banerjee has left me deeply disturbed. He spent much of his life teaching and serving society with dedication, always known for his humble nature and close bond with the people of Rampurhat and Birbhum.” “What makes this tragedy even more painful is the immense mental and emotional strain he appears to have endured in his final days. As a five-term MLA, former Deputy Speaker and Chairman, Asish Da dedicated himself to bringing development to Rampurhat and undertook a large number of important works for the people. Yet, despite the work he did, he was repeatedly maligned, falsely accused and subjected to relentless pressure,” she added. The passing of Asish Banerjee has left me deeply disturbed. He spent much of his life teaching and serving society with dedication, always known for his humble nature and close bond with the people of Rampurhat and Birbhum. What makes this tragedy even more painful is the… — Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) August 16, 2026 The former Bengal CM also commented that the harassment and mental pressure faced by Ashis Banerjee call for a re-examination of the relentless political hostility in the state, adding that his absence will be deeply felt. BJP Vs TMC Over Asish’s Death Asish Banerjee had represented the Rampurhat Assembly constituency for 25 consecutive years. After the Trinamool Congress came to power in West Bengal, he served as the state’s School Education Minister, Agriculture Minister and AYUSH Minister. In the purported note, he allegedly stated that he had never been involved in corruption or accepted money in exchange for any work. He also wrote that while he could not always accept “wrongdoings” within the Trinamool Congress, he had been unable to raise his voice against them. Asish also alleged that attempts had been made to “malign” and humiliate him. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari condoled Asish Banerjee’s death and spoke to his family. “His entire family stated that he shared a good rapport with local BJP workers and the police… This is an unfortunate incident… I had a good relationship with him, and when I assumed the role as the Chief Minister, he messaged me saying he would come to meet me,” he said at a briefing. Adhikari also alleged that “corrupt people in the TMC might have threatened him by saying they would take his name if there was a probe”. However, TMC’s national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee blamed the BJP government for the “smear campaign” against the ex-deputy speaker, adding that the incident should “should trouble the conscience of everyone who believes that politics and journalism must have boundaries.”