Bengal ex-Dy Speaker Asish Banerjee's suicide: BJP leaders visit family in Birbhum
Synopsis
A former West Bengal Agriculture Minister and Deputy Speaker, Asish Banerjee, was found dead in Birbhum with a suicide note — and the politician who defeated him in the last election was among those who visited his grieving family the very next day. The cross-party condolences, and the teacher-student dynamic between the deceased and his electoral successor, underscore how personal and political lines blur in Bengal's district politics.
Key Takeaways
Former West Bengal Agriculture Minister and Deputy Speaker Asish Banerjee was found dead at his Birbhum residence on Sunday, 17 August , with a suicide note.
The initial autopsy report supports the theory of suicide, according to district police sources; no official statement has been issued.
A forensic team visited and sealed the room on Monday , collecting specimens as part of the ongoing investigation.
BJP leaders including Birbhum district president Uday Shankar Banerjee , Rampurhat MLA Dhruba Saha , and Sainthia MLA Krishna Kanta Saha visited the family.
MLA Dhruba Saha , who defeated Asish Banerjee in the last assembly elections, was once his student — he assured the family of support.
Former West Bengal Agriculture Minister and Deputy Speaker of the West Bengal Assembly, Asish Banerjee, was found dead at his residence in Birbhum district on Sunday, 17 August, in what police are treating as a suspected suicide. Leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s West Bengal unit visited the family on Monday to offer condolences, as forensic investigators sealed and examined the room where his body was recovered.
How the Body Was Discovered
Banerjee's body was recovered from a room inside a party office on Sunday morning, along with a suicide note, according to reports. The room was subsequently sealed by authorities. A forensic team visited the residence on Monday, collected specimens from the sealed room, and departed without responding to media queries.
What Investigators Have Found So Far
According to district police sources, the initial autopsy report is consistent with the theory of suicide, though investigators have not issued any official statement. Police are continuing to probe the reasons and circumstances surrounding the death. The room remains sealed as part of the ongoing investigation.
BJP Leaders Pay Condolences
BJP's Birbhum district president Uday Shankar Banerjee, Rampurhat MLA Dhruba Saha, Sainthia MLA Krishna Kanta Saha, and Birbhum district Mahila Morcha president Rashmi Dey visited the deceased leader's residence on Monday. They met Banerjee's son, Shatadal Banerjee, his wife, and other relatives, and expressed grief over the sudden death.
Notably, Dhruba Saha — who defeated Asish Banerjee in the recent West Bengal assembly elections — conveyed personal condolences and assured the family of support. Saha was once a student of Banerjee, who was a college teacher by profession before entering politics, adding a poignant personal dimension to the visit.
Who Was Asish Banerjee
Asish Banerjee served as Agriculture Minister in the previous Mamata Banerjee-led All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) government and held the post of Deputy Speaker of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly. A former college teacher, he had been a significant figure in the TMC's Birbhum district organisation before losing his assembly seat in the most recent state elections.
What Happens Next
The investigation remains active, with police yet to draw any formal conclusions on the circumstances or motive behind the death. The forensic findings are expected to inform the next steps in the probe. The case has drawn political attention across party lines in the state.
Point of View
However bitterly contested, retains personal bonds that survive electoral rivalry. More substantively, the death of a former minister and Deputy Speaker without any official explanation yet points to a gap in institutional response — the state government has been conspicuously quiet. The teacher-student relationship between the deceased and the man who ousted him at the ballot box adds a layer of irony that mainstream coverage has largely glossed over. Until investigators formally close or escalate the case, the political undercurrents will continue to draw scrutiny.
NationPress
17 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Asish Banerjee?
Asish Banerjee was a former Agriculture Minister and Deputy Speaker of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly under the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC government. He was also a college teacher by profession and a prominent TMC figure in Birbhum district before losing his assembly seat in the most recent state elections.
How did Asish Banerjee die?
Banerjee was found dead at his residence in Birbhum district on Sunday, 17 August, with a suicide note recovered from the room. The initial autopsy report is consistent with the theory of suicide, according to district police sources, though no official conclusion has been announced.
Why did BJP leaders visit the family?
Leaders from the BJP's West Bengal unit, including Birbhum district president Uday Shankar Banerjee and Rampurhat MLA Dhruba Saha, visited the family on Monday to offer condolences. The visit was described as a gesture of grief and support across party lines.
What is the current status of the investigation?
Police are actively probing the circumstances and reasons behind the death. A forensic team sealed the room and collected specimens on Monday. No official statement on motive or conclusion has been issued, and the investigation is ongoing.
What is the connection between Dhruba Saha and Asish Banerjee?
Dhruba Saha, the Rampurhat MLA who visited the family, defeated Asish Banerjee in the recent West Bengal assembly elections. He was also once a student of Banerjee, who had worked as a college teacher before his political career.
