Former West Bengal Minister and Trinamool Congress leader Ashis Banerjee was found dead on Sunday (August 16, 2026) morning inside a party office near his residence in West Bengal’s Birbhum district.

The 75-year-old leader was a five term Trinamool Congress MLA and was Deputy Speaker of the West Bengal Assembly from 2021 to 26. He lost the 2026 Assembly polls to Bharatiya Janata Party’s Dhruba Saha.

A note was also found and the body has been sent for autopsy. Asish Banerjee, who taught at Rampurhat College, was a leader with a clean image. The note stated that he was not involved in any “wrongdoing”. “I had nothing to do with corruption and yet all these completely false allegations to malign me…” the note read.

The Trinamool Congress was apparently referred to supposed allegations of wrongdoings related to the Tarapith Rampurhat Development Authority where he had served as the chairperson.

Leaders across political lines expressed grief over untimely demise of the Trinamool Congress leader. After the change in the regime in the State, several Trinamool Congress leaders are being investigated for alleged role in corruption in the Trinamool Congress regime. Several leaders and former MLAs have been arrested.

Those in distress could seek help and counselling by calling any of the following numbers: Lifeline Foundation: +91 033 24637401, +91 033 24637432, 91639 40404, 90880 30303 Samikhani: 033-24663504, 7044087949. National / Toll-Free Option: KIRAN Mental Health Helpline at 1800-599-0019 (24×7)