Mamata mourns Asish's death, flags mental pressure

• Former Deputy Speaker Asish Banerjee found dead in Rampurhat
• Mamata Banerjee cites relentless political pressure as a cause
• Police investigate suicide following recovery of a note

TMC supremo and former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday expressed deep anguish over the death of former Assembly Deputy Speaker and senior

Trinamool Congress leader Asish Banerjee, highlighting the "immense mental and emotional strain" he allegedly faced in his final days. Reacting to Asish Banerjee’s death, the TMC supremo said she is "deeply disturbed" by the tragedy and recalled his long association with teaching, public service and politics. "The passing of Asish Banerjee has left me deeply disturbed. He spent much of his life teaching and serving society with dedication, always known for his humble nature and close bond with the people of Rampurhat and Birbhum,” Mamata Banerjee said in a post on X. In her post, Mamata added that what made Asish Banerjee's death particularly painful was the pressure he had allegedly endured despite his long record of public service. "Despite the work he did, he was repeatedly maligned, falsely accused and subjected to relentless pressure," she said. "The harassment and mental pressure he faced, despite his long record of public service, should make all of us pause and reflect on the human cost of relentless political hostility. My heartfelt prayers and condolences to his family, loved ones, former students and countless admirers. His absence will be deeply felt, always," the former Bengal Chief Minister added in her post.

Asish Banerjee Found Hanging At TMC Office

Asish Banerjee, former Deputy Speaker of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, was found dead at a TMC party office in Rampurhat, Birbhum, on Sunday, according to police. His body was reportedly found hanging inside the party office premises, and police said a purported suicide note had also been recovered, in which the deceased mentioned that "no one is responsible for my death".

The circumstances surrounding his death are under investigation.

Asish Banerjee, a veteran TMC leader, had represented Rampurhat in the state Assembly continuously from 2001 till 2026. He had served as the deputy speaker of the Assembly and held ministerial portfolios, including school education and agriculture, in the Mamata Banerjee government.