Leena Gangopadhyay quits West Bengal Women's Commission after TMC loses power
Synopsis
Tollywood producer Leena Gangopadhyay has quit as West Bengal Commission for Women chairperson — not after months of pressure over actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee's controversial death on her production's shoot, but only after the TMC's 15-year government was swept out of power by the BJP. The timing underscores how closely statutory appointments in West Bengal tracked political patronage.
Key Takeaways
Leena Gangopadhyay resigned as Chairperson of the West Bengal Commission for Women (WBCW) on 13 May , before her term's scheduled end in July 2025 .
Her resignation follows the BJP coming to power in West Bengal, ending 15 years of Trinamool Congress rule under Mamata Banerjee .
She had first signalled intent to resign six weeks ago amid controversy over the death of actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee , who drowned on 29 March during a shoot in Talsari, Odisha .
Banerjee's wife, actress Priyanka Sarkar , has filed a complaint against Gangopadhyay and members of her production team.
The WBCW chairperson post now awaits a fresh appointment by the incoming BJP government.
Leena Gangopadhyay, a prominent Tollywood writer, producer, and director, has resigned as Chairperson of the West Bengal Commission for Women (WBCW) following the change of government in the state, officials confirmed on Wednesday, 13 May. She stepped down before the completion of her term, which was due to end in July 2025.
Background of the Appointment
Gangopadhyay was appointed Chairperson of the state women's commission in July 2023, a position widely attributed to her proximity to the Trinamool Congress (TMC). Known for her work in the Bengali film and television industry, she also runs her own production company. Her appointment was seen as part of the TMC government's effort to place cultural figures in advisory and statutory roles.
The Rahul Arunoday Banerjee Controversy
Gangopadhyay had first signalled her intention to resign approximately six weeks ago, following a controversy surrounding the death of Bengali actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee. On 29 March, Banerjee drowned in the sea near Talsari, Odisha, while reportedly shooting for a television serial being produced by Gangopadhyay's production company. She initially claimed there was no underwater shooting scene and that Banerjee had entered the sea on his own. It was subsequently reported that he had drowned while on a shoot.
Banerjee's wife, actress Priyanka Sarkar, filed a formal complaint against Gangopadhyay and certain members of the production team. A section of Bengali actors, technicians, and directors publicly distanced themselves from her company. At the time, Gangopadhyay stated she wished to resign to avoid any perception of using her official position to influence the investigation — but she did not follow through.
Government Change Triggers Final Resignation
The immediate trigger for her departure is the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) coming to power in West Bengal, ending the Trinamool Congress's 15-year rule under former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. With the TMC's electoral defeat in the state Assembly election, Gangopadhyay tendered her resignation from the statutory post she had held since 2023.
What Happens Next
The West Bengal Commission for Women will now require a new chairperson to be appointed by the incoming BJP government. The commission plays a key role in addressing grievances related to women's rights and safety in the state. The investigation into the death of Rahul Arunoday Banerjee is expected to continue independently of the commission's leadership change. How the new administration handles both the institutional vacancy and the pending complaint against Gangopadhyay will be closely watched in the weeks ahead.
Point of View
Only to step down the moment her political patrons lost power. It is a reminder that statutory bodies in West Bengal have long functioned as extensions of ruling-party patronage networks rather than independent institutions. The BJP now faces a credibility test: will it appoint a genuinely independent chairperson, or simply replace one party loyalist with another? The Banerjee death investigation, still unresolved, adds a layer of accountability that the new government cannot afford to sidestep.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Leena Gangopadhyay resign from the West Bengal Commission for Women?
Leena Gangopadhyay resigned as Chairperson of the West Bengal Commission for Women following the BJP's victory in the West Bengal Assembly election, which ended the Trinamool Congress's 15-year rule. She stepped down before her term's scheduled end in July 2025.
Who is Leena Gangopadhyay?
Leena Gangopadhyay is a prominent Tollywood writer, producer, and director who also runs her own production company. She was appointed Chairperson of the West Bengal Commission for Women in July 2023 and is known to have been close to the Trinamool Congress.
What is the controversy involving actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee?
Actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee drowned on 29 March near Talsari, Odisha, while reportedly shooting for a television serial produced by Gangopadhyay's company. His wife, actress Priyanka Sarkar, filed a complaint against Gangopadhyay and production team members. A section of the Bengali film industry also publicly distanced itself from her company following the incident.
Had Leena Gangopadhyay tried to resign earlier?
Yes, Gangopadhyay had expressed her intention to resign approximately six weeks before her actual departure, citing concerns about the perception of using her official position to influence the investigation into Banerjee's death. However, she did not resign at that time.
What happens to the West Bengal Commission for Women now?
With Gangopadhyay's resignation, the post of Chairperson of the West Bengal Commission for Women is now vacant. The incoming BJP government is expected to appoint a new chairperson to head the statutory body, which addresses women's rights and safety grievances in the state.
