Asish Banerjee, former Bengal Minister and Trinamool leader, found dead in party office
Former West Bengal Minister and Trinamool Congress leader Ashis Banerjee was found dead in a party office, leaving behind a note claiming innocence regarding corruption allegations. The incident has sparked a political controversy, with opposition leaders calling for an investigation into potential intimidation.
Why it matters
The death of a high-profile political figure amidst corruption allegations highlights the volatile nature of regional politics and the intense pressure faced by public officials in India.
Former West Bengal Minister and Trinamool Congress leader Ashis Banerjee was found dead on Sunday morning inside a party office near his residence in West Bengal’s Birbhum district.
The 75-year-old leader was a five-term Trinamool MLA and was Deputy Speaker of the West Bengal Assembly from 2021 to 2026. He lost the 2026 Assembly polls to Bharatiya Janata Party’s Dhruba Saha.
A note was found and the body has been sent for autopsy. Banerjee, who had taught at Rampurhat College, was known as a leader with a clean image. The note stated that he was not involved in any “wrongdoing”. “I had nothing to do with corruption and yet all these completely false allegations to malign me…” the note read. Banerjee rued that he became associated with politics and urged his children not to do so.
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