Veteran TMC leader Asish Banerjee was found dead at a party office in Rampurhat, with police investigating the circumstances and examining a purported note recovered from the spot.

Former West Bengal Assembly Deputy Speaker and veteran Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Asish Banerjee was found dead at a party office in Rampurhat, Birbhum district, on Sunday morning, police sources said.

Banerjee’s body was found at the TMC office located close to his residence in Hattala Para. Police sent the body for post-mortem examination and began investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.

A purported handwritten note was also recovered from the office. Police are examining the document, while reports circulating on social media about its contents have not been independently verified.

Body Found At Party Office

The incident came as a shock to the TMC and political circles in West Bengal.

According to police sources, Banerjee was found hanging inside the party office near his home. Investigators are examining the scene and other available evidence as part of the inquiry.

The post-mortem examination is expected to help establish the circumstances surrounding his death.

Police Examine Purported Note

A purported one-page note recovered from the office has become a key part of the investigation.

Reports citing the document say Banerjee wrote that no one was responsible for his death and expressed regret over entering politics. The authenticity of the note has not been independently established, and police are examining its contents.

Investigators will need to establish when and under what circumstances the note was written before drawing conclusions about the death.

Five-Time MLA From Rampurhat

Banerjee had represented the Rampurhat Assembly constituency for about 25 years, beginning in 2001.

He remained a prominent TMC figure in Birbhum and served as a minister in the West Bengal government before becoming Deputy Speaker of the Assembly in 2021.

His political career included responsibilities related to agriculture and other departments under the Mamata Banerjee government.

Lost Rampurhat Seat

Banerjee’s long electoral run ended in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election, when he lost the Rampurhat seat to BJP candidate Dhruba Saha, according to reports.

The electoral setback came after Banerjee had represented the constituency continuously for five terms.

His defeat marked a significant change in the political landscape of Rampurhat, where he had remained an established TMC figure for decades.

Recent Political Developments

Banerjee’s death comes amid significant political changes within West Bengal following the 2026 Assembly election.

Reports have also referred to recent developments involving his political position and criticism concerning the functioning of the party. However, investigators have not established any connection between those developments and his death.

Police are expected to examine his recent activities and circumstances as part of the investigation.

TMC Leader’s Long Career

Banerjee entered electoral politics after working as an academic and went on to become one of TMC’s prominent leaders in Birbhum.

He served as Deputy Speaker of the West Bengal Assembly from July 2021 until May 2026. His earlier ministerial responsibilities included agriculture and other portfolios.

His death has therefore removed a senior figure with a long association with the party and Rampurhat politics.

Investigation Underway

Police have not announced a final conclusion on the circumstances of Banerjee’s death. The post-mortem report and examination of the purported note are expected to form part of the evidence considered by investigators.

For now, authorities are treating the death as a matter for investigation. The Asish Banerjee death has drawn widespread attention in West Bengal, while police continue to establish the sequence of events at the TMC office in Rampurhat.