'Entering politics was a mistake': Ex-Bengal deputy speaker Asish Banerjee's suicide note recovered
Former West Bengal Assembly deputy speaker Asish Banerjee, who was found dead at a party office next to his residence in Birbhum's Rampurhat on Sunday morning, left a suicide note stating that 'entering politics was a mistake'.
Police recovered what they described as a purported handwritten suicide note from the 74-year-old. His body was sent for postmortem as the investigation into his death continued.
The authenticity of the note has not been independently verified.
'Entering politics was a mistake'
In the purported one-page note written in Bengali, Banerjee allegedly said that no one was responsible for his death and expressed regret over his decision to enter politics.
He reportedly advised the younger members of his family not to enter politics and instead concentrate on their respective professions.
Banerjee also allegedly stated that he had never been involved in corruption or taken money in exchange for getting work done.
Reference to TRDA tender decisions
The former MLA specifically referred to the Tarapith-Rampurhat Development Authority (TRDA) in the note.
He allegedly said that his only role in the authority was attending general meetings and that he had no involvement in tender decisions, cheque issuance, plan approvals or no-objection certificates.
Banerjee reportedly said he was not a member of the tender committee and did not have the authority to sign cheques.
He also alleged that attempts had been made to malign and humiliate him.
The purported note further said that while he could not always accept alleged "wrongdoings" within the TMC, he had been unable to protest against them.
25-year political run ends
Banerjee had represented the Rampurhat Assembly constituency continuously from 2001 until 2026.
His electoral run came to an end in this year's Bengal Assembly election when BJP's Dhruva Saha defeated him by more than 24,000 votes.
His death comes months after the TMC lost power in West Bengal following 15 years in government, with the BJP forming the government in the state for the first time.
Mamata Banerjee aide, former minister
A key aide of TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, Asish Banerjee had been active in politics since his student days and had also worked as a teacher.
Asish Banerjee was a close aide of former Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee. Photo: Facebook/Asish Banerjee.
During the TMC government's tenure, he served as deputy speaker of the Assembly and held ministerial portfolios including school education and agriculture.
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death. The purported suicide note and its contents are expected to form part of the investigation.
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