Kolkata, 16 August (H.S.): West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday said that “blackmailing pressure” could possibly have been behind the suicide of former state minister and former Deputy Speaker of the state Assembly, Asish Banerjee.

Speaking to media persons, Adhikari said Banerjee had raised his voice against alleged injustice and corruption within his own party after the Assembly elections earlier this year. He also claimed that Banerjee had distanced himself from former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and resigned from a committee constituted by her.

“It is possible that corrupt people within the Trinamool Congress intimidated him. Someone might have blackmailed him,” Adhikari said, adding that despite their political differences, he shared a cordial personal relationship with Banerjee.

The Chief Minister said the incident would be properly investigated and that the suicide note and mobile phone of the deceased would be examined. He also stressed the need to ascertain whether anyone had threatened or pressured Banerjee before his death.

“I am shocked. I have instructed the police and the District Magistrate to ensure that the autopsy is conducted properly,” Adhikari said.

The Chief Minister said Banerjee, who was a teacher by profession, was personally honest, but questioned the conduct of some of his political associates.

Adhikari also rejected allegations from sections of the Trinamool Congress that administrative pressure from the state government or an alleged BJP campaign to malign Banerjee could have prompted him to take the extreme step.

“No notice was issued to him by the police or the administration. No one from the BJP threatened him. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate whether anyone within the Trinamool Congress who was involved in corruption threatened or blackmailed him,” he said.

There was no immediate reaction from Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee till late Sunday afternoon. However, Trinamool Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee issued a social media statement alleging that the BJP and sections of the media were responsible for the circumstances surrounding Asish Banerjee’s suicide.

The circumstances leading to Banerjee’s death remain under investigation, and the examination of the suicide note, mobile phone and other evidence is expected to shed light on the circumstances preceding the incident.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey