Former TMC MLA and Deputy Speaker Ashish Banerjee Found Dead in Birbhum Office: Suvendu Adhikari Denies Any Corruption Charges
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A wave of shock and grief has swept through West Bengal's political landscape following the tragic death of veteran politician and former West Bengal Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker Ashish Banerjee. The 74-year-old former Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA was found hanging from a noose inside a TMC party office located near his residence in the Hattala Pada area of Rampurhat, Birbhum district, on Sunday morning. Police authorities recovered a purported one-page suicide note from the scene, in which Banerjee stated that no individual was responsible for his extreme step while expressing deep regret for entering public life.
Suvendu Adhikari Extends Condolences and Clarifies on Corruption Claims
Reacting strongly to the tragic incident, prominent political leader Suvendu Adhikari expressed deep sorrow and revealed that he had spoken directly with the bereaved family over the phone. Adhikari firmly stated that no corruption cases or police notices had ever been registered against Ashish Banerjee, countering allegations raised by TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee, who had claimed that the former Deputy Speaker was under political pressure. Adhikari praised Banerjee as a respected and upright leader, noting that even the local BJP MLA had visited him to pay respects. Furthermore, Adhikari hinted that a thorough investigation into call records should be conducted to examine whether corrupt elements within the TMC had pressured or intimidated him.
A Legacy Spanning Over Two Decades in West Bengal Politics
Ashish Banerjee was a towering political figure who represented the Rampurhat assembly constituency continuously from 2001 to 2026. During his long and distinguished career, he served as the Deputy Speaker of the state assembly as well as holding key ministerial portfolios including school education and agriculture in previous Mamata Banerjee-led administrations. In his widely circulated handwritten note, Banerjee asserted that he had maintained absolute integrity throughout his career, declaring that he had never engaged in corruption or accepted bribes. He also penned his inner turmoil, noting that while he could not always endorse wrongdoing within party lines, he often felt helpless in opposing it. Local police have sent the body for a post-mortem examination as investigations into the tragic incident continue.
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