Repeatedly maligned, falsely accused: Mamata condoles Asish Banerjee's death

Mamata Banerjee hailed the late Trinamool MLA as someone who dedicated his entire life to public service and teaching. She also said that the late TMC MLA was falsely maligned and harassed in the last few days.Mamata Banerjee with the late Trinamool Congress leader Ashish BanerjeeThe former Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, expressed her condolences over the death of TMC leader and former Deputy Speaker of West Bengal, Asish Banerjee. On Sunday, the five-time TMC MLA from the Rampurhat assembly constituency was found hanging from a party office in Birbhum district. His death triggered a major row, as several TMC leaders, including party MP Abhishek Banerjee, accused the BJP and a section of media outlets of running smear campaigns against him as well as other TMC (Mamata Banerjeefaction) leaders.Speaking on the same line, Mamata said that the veteran TMC leader was maligned, falsely accused of corruption charges, and was subjected to relentless pressure, despite being a grounded politician who shared a close bond with the people of his constituency and district."What makes this tragedy even more painful is the immense mental and emotional strain he appears to have endured in his final days. As a five-term MLA, former Deputy Speaker and Chairman, Asish Da dedicated himself to bringing development to Rampurhat and undertook a large number of important works for the people. Yet, despite the work he did, he was repeatedly maligned, falsely accused and subjected to relentless pressure," she wrote. "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," she added, taking an indirect jibe against the ruling BJP.Mamata also hailed Asish as someone who dedicated his entire life to teaching and other public services and finally concluded by saying that his absence would always be felt. - EndsPublished On: Aug 16, 2026 16:47 IST