Former Trinamool Congress MLA and West Bengal Assembly Deputy Speaker Ashis Banerjee has been found dead at a party office near his home in Rampurhat, with police recovering what has been described as a one-page suicide note alongside his body.
Banerjee’s body was recovered on Sunday, 16 August, from a Trinamool Congress office close to his residence in Rampurhat, West Bengal. The discovery has sent shockwaves through the state’s political circles, particularly because the note reportedly refers to allegations made against him and expresses regret over his decision to enter politics.
In the note, Banerjee wrote that he had been involved in politics since his student days. He recalled serving as the general secretary of the students’ union at Burdwan University and claimed that he had never been involved in corruption during that period. He also stated that although he had political differences with others over the years, those disagreements had never developed into personal enmity.
A significant portion of the note addresses allegations concerning his role in the Tarapith-Rampurhat Development Authority, commonly known as TRDA. Banerjee claimed that his responsibilities there were limited to attending general meetings. He maintained that he was not a member of the tender committee and did not have the authority to issue or handle cheques.
He also denied having any role in approving building plans or issuing no-objection certificates. The claims appear to have been included in the note as a response to allegations that had been levelled against him.
Banerjee further wrote that attempts had been made to insult and humiliate him. Describing himself as angry and disappointed, he eventually wrote that entering politics had been a mistake. He did not, however, name anyone as responsible for his death.
The note also contained advice for his family. Banerjee reportedly urged younger members of his family not to enter politics and instead to concentrate on their respective professions. His remarks reflected his apparent disillusionment with political life towards the end of his career.
Before entering full-time politics, Banerjee worked as a teacher, and his note also referred to that part of his life. He wrote about regularly taking classes, conducting additional lessons and teaching many students without charging fees. He recalled the affection and respect he had received from his students.
Towards the end of the note, Banerjee reportedly asked his family members to remain calm. He explicitly stated that nobody was responsible for his death. No direct accusation against any individual was made in the letter.
Banerjee had a long political career in West Bengal. He represented the Rampurhat constituency continuously from 2001 until 2026, winning the seat five times. During his political career, he served in the cabinet of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and held the portfolios of School Education and Agriculture. He later became Deputy Speaker of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly.
His political career ended with the 2026 Assembly election, after which he was no longer the MLA for Rampurhat. His death has since triggered grief across the political spectrum in West Bengal.
Police have recovered the body and the alleged suicide note, while the circumstances surrounding the death are subject to investigation. The contents of the note represent Banerjee’s own claims and account of the allegations against him; they do not, by themselves, establish whether those allegations were justified or otherwise. The final findings will depend on the investigation and other available evidence.
