HOWRAH, India — West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday raised concerns over the death of former TMC MLA Asish Banerjee, alleging that “corrupt individuals” within the Trinamool Congress could attempt to intimidate his family. Banerjee was found dead at a TMC party office in Birbhum, with district police saying that a suicide note was recovered.
Key Highlights
- Asish Banerjee was found dead at a TMC party office in Birbhum.
- Police said a suicide note was found at the site.
- Suvendu Adhikari urged Banerjee’s family to cooperate with investigators and called for examination of call records.
- Banerjee had resigned as chairman of the TMC’s Birbhum district core committee in June.
Asish Banerjee death prompts call for police investigation
Adhikari said he had spoken with Banerjee’s family and asked them to cooperate with the police investigation. He also said call records should be examined as part of the inquiry.
The Chief Minister described Banerjee as a decent political leader and said he had maintained a good relationship with him. Adhikari also said he planned to personally meet members of Banerjee’s family.
“Corrupt individuals from the TMC might try to intimidate them. Call records should be examined,” Adhikari said.
Adhikari recalls his relationship with former TMC MLA
Speaking about Banerjee, Adhikari recalled that the two had shared a cordial relationship. He said Banerjee had contacted him after he became Chief Minister and expressed an intention to meet him.
Adhikari also referred to political developments within the TMC following Mamata Banerjee’s electoral defeat. According to him, a committee was subsequently formed and Asish Banerjee resigned from it soon afterwards.
Banerjee had stepped down from Birbhum committee
Banerjee had resigned as chairman of the TMC’s Birbhum district core committee in June, weeks after the Mamata Banerjee-led party suffered defeat in the assembly elections.
Following news of his death, TMC workers gathered outside the party office and at Banerjee’s residence in Rampurhat, according to the supplied report.
Separate political row over Vande Mataram
During the same press interaction, Adhikari also criticised the Congress over an Independence Day programme at its headquarters in New Delhi. He alleged that senior Congress leaders disrespected Vande Mataram while the national song was being recited.
Adhikari said the family of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay had written to Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, expressing objections and seeking an apology. He further alleged that neither the Congress party nor Sonia Gandhi had responded to the letter.
The controversy followed visuals from the Independence Day programme that, according to the supplied report, showed senior Congress leaders speaking among themselves while Vande Mataram was being recited.
BJP leaders file complaint in Karnataka
The Vande Mataram controversy also led to a formal complaint by BJP leaders against Congress leader Sonia Gandhi at Urwa Police Station in Karnataka, according to the report.
The complaint and Adhikari’s remarks add another political dimension to the controversy surrounding the Independence Day programme, while the investigation into Banerjee’s death remains a separate matter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Suvendu Adhikari ask police to examine in the Asish Banerjee case?
Adhikari specifically called for Banerjee’s call records to be examined and urged the family to cooperate with the police investigation.
When did Asish Banerjee resign from the TMC Birbhum district core committee?
According to the supplied report, Banerjee stepped down as chairman of the TMC’s Birbhum district core committee in June, weeks after the party’s defeat in the assembly elections.
What happens next?
Birbhum District Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding Banerjee’s death after reporting that a suicide note was found. Adhikari said the police would take action and that he would meet Banerjee’s family personally.
The allegations made by Adhikari regarding possible intimidation and the political controversy surrounding Vande Mataram have been presented as his claims; the supplied material does not provide an independent confirmation of those allegations.
