Former West Bengal Deputy Speaker Asish Banerjee Found Dead at TMC Office

Asish Banerjee, the former deputy speaker of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, was found dead this morning at a Trinamool Congress (TMC) office in Rampurhat, Birbhum district. Police said his body was found hanging at the office, which is located next to his residence in the Hattalapara neighbourhood. The body has been sent for postmortem, and an investigation has been initiated.

Banerjee was a five-time MLA from the Rampurhat constituency and a senior leader of the TMC. He served as deputy speaker of the state assembly when Mamata Banerjee was chief minister. He also held the portfolios of education and agriculture in the state government over the years. His political career spanned several decades, making him a prominent figure in Birbhum district politics.

The body was discovered in the morning, and police personnel reached the spot after being informed. A large crowd gathered outside the party office as news of the death spread. The crowd included local residents, party workers, and supporters who had come upon hearing the news. The police secured the area and later sent the body to a hospital for postmortem examination.

In the state assembly elections held earlier this year, Banerjee lost the Rampurhat seat to the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Dhruba Saha. In June, he stepped down from the post of chairman of the TMC's Birbhum district core committee, though he announced that he would continue as a general member of the party.

The incident comes amid a significant political shift in Birbhum district. In the latest election, the BJP won six of the 11 assembly constituencies in the district. In the 2021 elections, the TMC had won 10 seats, with the BJP securing only one. The TMC's tally in the district fell to five, a significant drop from its earlier dominance. The recent results marked a notable change in the district's political landscape, and Banerjee's defeat was part of this trend.

The police have not yet commented on the cause of death, stating that the postmortem report will provide more clarity. Authorities have appealed to the public to avoid speculation and allow the investigation to proceed. A police officer said that they were waiting for the postmortem report. The investigation is being monitored by senior officers.

Banerjee's death has drawn reactions from various quarters. Supporters gathered at the site, and the news dominated local political discussions. Local residents expressed disbelief, saying Banerjee had been active in the area until recently. As a veteran leader, he was known for his organisational skills and his deep connect with the residents of Rampurhat.

The role of deputy speaker in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly involves presiding over the proceedings in the absence of the speaker and maintaining order in the house. The deputy speaker's post is one of the key positions in the assembly. Banerjee's experience in the legislature was considered an asset to the TMC's organisational structure, and his loss is seen as a setback for the party in the region.

This is a developing story. More details are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses, and further information will be provided.