Hubbry Logo
Asish BanerjeeAsish BanerjeeMain
Open search
Asish Banerjee
Community hub
Asish Banerjee
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Asish Banerjee
Asish Banerjee
Asish Banerjee
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Dr. Asish Banerjee is an Indian politician representing Trinamool Congress, who was 13th deputy speaker of assembly the minister in charge of the Department of Agriculture in the Government of West Bengal from 2017 to 2021.[1] He is also M.L.A. of West Bengal Legislative Assembly, elected from Rampurhat (Vidhan Sabha constituency) five times (terms 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016 usage 2021).[2]

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Asish Banerjee was born in Rampurhat Birbhum district in West Bengal. He completed his bachelor's and master's degrees from Burdwan University. He also completed his PhD at the same university. During this period he was elected General Secretary of University Students' Council.

Career

[edit]

After completing his education at Burdwan University, Banerjee was an associate professor of Bengali at Rampurhat College under Burdwan University.[citation needed]

MLA of Rampurhat

[edit]

He was elected as M.L.A. from Rampurhat (Vidhan Sabha constituency) in 2001 and subsequently re-elected from same constituency in 2006, 2011 and 2016. Banerjee was first time sworn in as a Minister of State under chief minister Mamata Banerjee in 2014 and allotted the independent charge of Department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy. The next year he was nominated for minister in charge for Department of Biotechnology, Department of Statistics and Programme implementation, Planning.[3]

In 2017, he took charge as the Agriculture Minister of West Bengal Government in Mamata Banerjee ministry (2016–2021) from his predecessor Purnendo Bose.[3]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Asish Banerjee

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Dr. Asish Banerjee (born c. 1952) is an Indian and former academic who has served as a (MLA) for the constituency in , , representing the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) since winning his first election in 2001. He was elected to the seat in subsequent assembly elections in 2006, 2011, 2016, and 2021. Prior to entering politics full-time, Banerjee was an associate professor at College and holds postgraduate degrees from the . From 2017 to 2021, Banerjee held the position of Minister in charge of the Department of Agriculture in the under . In July 2021, he was elected as the Deputy Speaker of the , a role he continues to hold as of 2024.

Early Life and Education

Family Background and Early Years

Asish Banerjee was born on 3 November 1951 in , , , . His father, Asit Baran Banerjee, had passed away by the time of Asish's political filings in later years. Limited public records detail his immediate family beyond this parentage, with no verified information on siblings, maternal lineage, or ancestral occupation available from electoral affidavits or official disclosures. Banerjee spent his early years in , where he was later enrolled as a voter in constituency 291, reflecting deep local roots in the region. No specific anecdotes or formative experiences from his childhood or are documented in accessible biographical sources, though his longstanding association with the area preceded his entry into politics.

Academic and Professional Training

Asish Banerjee completed his and degrees in Bengali from the , with the latter awarded in 1972. He subsequently earned a Ph.D. in Arts from the in 1985. Before entering , Banerjee worked as an associate of Bengali at College, an institution affiliated with the . He held this academic position until his retirement as a around 2001. No additional formal beyond his academic career in and teaching is documented in public records.

Political Career

Entry into Politics and Electoral History

Asish Banerjee entered electoral politics in 2001 by contesting the election from the constituency in as a candidate of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC), defeating the incumbent Communist Party of India (Marxist) candidate and securing 58,674 votes. This victory marked the beginning of his legislative career amid the AITC's alliance with the to challenge the long-ruling Left Front government led by the CPI(M). Banerjee has since won re-election from Rampurhat in every subsequent assembly poll, establishing a consistent record of representation for the AITC. He triumphed in the 2006 election, held under the AITC-BJP alliance, followed by victories as an independent AITC candidate in 2011 after the alliance dissolved. His 2016 win came during the AITC's first outright majority under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, and he retained the seat in 2021 with 103,276 votes, defeating Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Khagen Murmu by a margin of 8,472 votes amid heightened competition from the BJP. These successive terms, spanning over two decades, reflect sustained voter support in a constituency characterized by agricultural and rural demographics.
Election YearPartyResultKey OpponentVotes Secured
2001AITCWonCPI(M)58,674
2006AITCWon(Details unavailable from primary sources)N/A
2011AITCWon(Details unavailable from primary sources)N/A
2016AITCWonBJPN/A
2021AITCWonBJP ()103,276

Legislative Representation and Committee Roles

Asish Banerjee has represented the Rampurhat Vidhan Sabha constituency in as a (MLA) in the [West Bengal Legislative Assembly](/page/West Bengal_Legislative_Assembly) since his first election in 2001. He secured re-election from the same seat in 2006, 2011, 2016, and most recently in 2021, consistently as a of the All India Trinamool Congress, defeating opponents from the and other parties in each contest. In the 2021 election, Banerjee won by a margin of 8,472 votes against the BJP candidate. On July 2, 2021, Banerjee was elected unopposed as the Deputy Speaker of the during its 17th term, a role in which he assists the Speaker in presiding over sessions, maintaining order, and facilitating legislative business when the Speaker is absent. As Deputy Speaker, he has performed duties such as administering oaths to new MLAs when authorized by the , including instances amid procedural disputes between the assembly leadership and the Raj Bhavan in 2024. Specific memberships in standing or subject committees of the are not prominently documented in available records for Banerjee's tenure, consistent with the limited public reporting on participation for presiding officers like the Deputy Speaker. Earlier in his career, in September 2010, he led an all-party delegation of MLAs from on an official visit to the of Puducherry to study administrative practices.

Ministerial Positions

Asish Banerjee was inducted into the of on May 27, 2016, as for , Statistics, and Programme Implementation in the second ministry. In this role, he oversaw aspects of programme monitoring and statistical data handling within the state's administrative framework. In 2017, Banerjee was promoted to Cabinet Minister in charge of the Department of , replacing Purnendo Bose, and retained this portfolio through the remainder of the ministry's term until May 2021. During his tenure, the department focused on initiatives such as agricultural subsidies, crop diversification, and support for farmers amid challenges like fluctuating market prices and weather variability, though specific outcomes tied directly to his leadership remain documented primarily through government reports rather than independent evaluations. He was not re-inducted into the third ministry formed in May 2021, transitioning instead to the role of Deputy Speaker of the .

Deputy Speaker Responsibilities

As Deputy Speaker of the , elected unopposed on July 2, 2021, Asish Banerjee assumes the Speaker's duties during their absence, including presiding over proceedings, enforcing rules of order, and ruling on procedural matters such as points of order and . These responsibilities align with Article 180 of the Indian Constitution, which mandates that the Deputy Speaker performs the Speaker's functions when the office is vacant or the Speaker is absent from a sitting. Banerjee's tenure has involved navigating procedural disputes, notably in oath-taking protocols. On July 4, 2024, Governor authorized him under Article 188 to administer oaths to two newly elected MLAs, Sayantika Bandyopadhyay and Rayat Hossain Sarkar, amid a standoff with Speaker over the venue and process. Banerjee declined the directive, stating it was inappropriate for the Deputy Speaker to proceed without the Speaker's involvement, emphasizing hierarchical protocol over the Governor's unilateral assignment. The Speaker ultimately administered the oaths on July 5, 2024, prompting the Governor to term it a constitutional violation and refer the matter to the President. In this capacity, Banerjee also contributes to assembly administration, such as committee oversight and ensuring compliance with the Legislative Assembly's Rules of Procedure, though specific instances of him chairing sessions or ruling on debates remain undocumented in beyond routine duties. His role underscores the Deputy Speaker's function as a safeguard for legislative continuity while deferring to the Speaker's primacy in non-emergency scenarios.

Policy Positions and Contributions

Agricultural Reforms and Initiatives

During his tenure as Minister in charge of the Department of from 2017 to 2021, Asish Banerjee prioritized schemes to enhance farmer incomes and resilience against environmental challenges in , a state where contributes significantly to and GDP. One flagship initiative was the expansion of Krishak Bandhu, an income support program providing financial aid to cultivators and sharecroppers; by October 2019, it had disbursed ₹500 crore to approximately 37 lakh beneficiaries, with phased payments linked to cropping seasons. The scheme served as an alternative to the central PM-KISAN program, which the state declined to implement, opting instead for tailored support amid criticisms from the that it deprived farmers of direct central benefits; Banerjee defended the state's approach as more comprehensive for local needs. Banerjee emphasized technology adoption and climate adaptation, including partial mechanization for farming and introduction of high-yield, superior-grain varieties during discussions with researchers in August 2018. In June 2020, the department under his oversight integrated ISRO's remote-sensing data to precisely assess crop losses from cyclones and floods, enabling targeted relief distribution. To combat pests like , which threatened and other crops, Banerjee supported awareness campaigns and subsidized inputs in November 2019, framing them as proactive welfare measures. Subsidy-driven inputs were a core focus, with certified seeds distributed at 50% rates and platforms established for direct farmer-to-buyer sales to reduce intermediaries. For marginal farmers, schemes like Amar Fasal, Amar Gari provided storage and transport aid for produce. In July 2019, amid erratic monsoons, Banerjee announced explorations of drought-resistant cropping alternatives to mitigate rain deficits. He positioned these efforts as state-led reforms superior to central proposals, asserting in December 2020 that had preemptively addressed marketing and tenancy issues without needing the contested farm laws. Events such as the 2018 Krishi Unnayan Mela under his department promoted market linkages and modern techniques to boost incomes.

Constituency Development Efforts

As MLA for the Rampurhat constituency in Birbhum district, Asish Banerjee has prioritized infrastructure improvements, particularly through his role as Chairman of the Tarapith Rampurhat Development Authority (TRDA), established under the West Bengal Town and Country (Planning and Development) Act, 1979. Key initiatives include the completion of a bypass road linking Rampurhat town to reduce traffic congestion and support urban mobility, alongside extensive beautification projects to enhance the aesthetic and functional appeal of the Tarapith pilgrimage area. In June 2018, Banerjee announced the construction of a new road connecting temple to Gopalpur More, aimed at improving connectivity for the region's stone-crushing industry and facilitating better access for devotees visiting the Peeth temple. Additional road widening and strengthening efforts have targeted local economic sectors, including quarrying operations that contribute to employment in the constituency. Agricultural support has featured the implementation of a river system to aid farmers in water-scarce areas, leveraging Banerjee's prior experience as state Minister. Healthcare advancements include the establishment of a multi-specialty and the Nabarun Sasthya Kendra to expand access to specialized medical services. In , he facilitated the introduction of postgraduate courses in English, Bengali, and at College, alongside upgrades to school infrastructure. Cultural preservation efforts encompass the construction of 250 village-level stages to promote the local tradition, integral to Birbhum's heritage. In July 2021, TRDA initiated the Rs 5.16 'Tarabitan' project adjacent to temple, designed as a recreational and tourist hub to boost infrastructure. Water supply enhancements are also underway, with plans to address shortages in underserved pockets through targeted pipelines.

Controversies and Criticisms

Intra-Party Conflicts

Ashish Banerjee, as the (TMC) MLA from in and later Deputy Speaker of the , has been embroiled in factional rivalries within the party's Birbhum unit, primarily with district president . Their tensions escalated publicly following the Bogtui massacre on March 21, 2022, where led to the deaths of 10 people in a hutment fire, allegedly in retaliation for the murder of a TMC leader. Mondal accused Banerjee of shielding Anarul Sheikh, a local TMC strongman and prime accused arrested in connection with the incident, claiming Banerjee intervened to protect him from party expulsion. The rift predates the 2022 violence, with Mondal reportedly lashing out at Banerjee during a 2020 party meeting, highlighting longstanding power struggles over influence in Birbhum, a key TMC stronghold. These disputes contributed to broader party infighting, drawing intervention from senior leadership, including TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, who in September 2025 convened a core committee meeting to mediate between Birbhum heavyweights and enforce unity ahead of the 2026 assembly elections. In response to persistent factionalism, the TMC in 2025 restructured its Birbhum organization, removing Mondal from his district post amid allegations of internal discord and forming a new core committee chaired by Banerjee, incorporating Abhishek Banerjee loyalists to consolidate control and curb feuds. Party leaders, including Subrata Bakshi, warned against public airing of grievances, emphasizing disciplinary action for violations, as seen in Mondal's forced apology over a viral audio clip criticizing rivals. Despite these efforts, analysts note that such localized power tussles reflect deeper generational and loyalty-based divisions within TMC, potentially undermining electoral cohesion.

Allegations of Patronage and Governance Issues

In the aftermath of the Bogtui massacre on March 21, 2022, where ten individuals were killed in an arson attack allegedly in retaliation for a (TMC) loss in local panchayat elections, TMC chief publicly accused Deputy Speaker Asish Banerjee of shielding Anarul Hossain , the local TMC block president implicated as the prime accused. Mondal claimed that Banerjee had requested him to protect Sheikh from arrest until after the polls, alleging that Banerjee's intervention allowed Sheikh to evade immediate accountability despite evidence of his involvement in orchestrating the violence. Sheikh was arrested on March 26, 2022, following directives amid widespread criticism of the state government's initial response. These accusations highlighted broader concerns over patronage networks within the TMC, where local leaders purportedly prioritize party loyalists—often strongmen controlling syndicates involved in and intimidation—over , contributing to recurrent in Birbhum. Mondal's statements, made in early April 2022, escalated into an open intra-party feud, with Banerjee denying the claims but facing scrutiny for his oversight role in , a constituency encompassing parts of the violence-hit area. A relative of one of the deceased victims also alleged Banerjee's direct involvement in enabling , though this remains unproven and tied to familial rather than judicial findings. The episode underscored governance challenges in , including delayed investigations and perceived leniency toward party affiliates, which opposition parties attributed to systemic favoritism eroding administrative . Despite Banerjee's subsequent appointment to lead a core committee overseeing Birbhum TMC operations after Mondal's 2022 arrest on unrelated cattle charges, the 2022 allegations persisted as evidence of factional undermining public safety and . No formal charges of or personal enrichment have been leveled against Banerjee in connection with these events, with criticisms centering instead on alleged in protecting perpetrators to maintain political control.

Public Reception and Legacy

Achievements and Supporter Views

Asish Banerjee has been elected as the (MLA) from the constituency in five consecutive times, in 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016, and 2021, demonstrating consistent electoral success within the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC). As Agriculture Minister from September 2017 to 2021, he oversaw policies that contributed to achieving the position of India's top vegetable-producing state by 2020, with production volumes surpassing other states through enhanced farmer support and cultivation expansion. In 2021, he was elected as Deputy Speaker of the , a role he continues to hold, focusing on procedural oversight and constituency representation. As Chairman of the Tarapith Rampurhat Development Authority (TRDA), Banerjee has spearheaded infrastructure projects, including the completion of a bypass road linking key areas in Rampurhat to improve connectivity and economic activity, which supporters highlight as a direct benefit to local commerce and pilgrimage tourism around the Tarapith temple. He has also coordinated security and developmental enhancements for annual events like the Tarapith temple festival, ensuring smoother operations amid high visitor influx. Supporters within the TMC and Rampurhat constituency praise Banerjee for his close engagement with local issues, crediting his developmental initiatives—such as the TRDA-led bypass and agricultural advancements—with bolstering rural economies and voter loyalty, as evidenced by his repeated victories in a competitive district. Local TMC affiliates view him as a stabilizing figure in Birbhum , emphasizing his transition from roots to TMC and contributions to consolidation through constituency-focused rather than factional disputes. His role in agricultural output gains is often cited by proponents as a tangible success of state-level reforms under TMC, fostering prosperity in vegetable-dependent regions like Birbhum.

Opposition Critiques and Challenges

Opposition parties, including the (BJP) and Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)), have accused Asish Banerjee of complicity in shielding (TMC) affiliates amid the March 21, 2022, Bogtui violence in , where arson following a TMC leader's killed ten people, predominantly women and children. As the Rampurhat MLA representing the area, Banerjee was dispatched by to the site alongside Minister , yet critics contended that the government's delayed arrests and perceived leniency toward suspects exemplified patronage under TMC rule, with BJP Leader of Opposition demanding a (CBI) probe and terming the episode a "genocide" orchestrated by party enforcers. BJP legislators further challenged Banerjee's oversight as Deputy Speaker, alleging that assembly proceedings under his influence prioritized TMC interests over accountability, particularly in debates on Birbhum's post-violence rehabilitation, where funds were disbursed but infrastructure lapses persisted, fueling claims of electoral rather than substantive . Local constituents in expressed discontent through , as on January 25, 2023, when villagers blocked Banerjee's vehicle to deteriorating road conditions and inadequate development projects, highlighting perceived in his five-term representation despite allocations for constituency works. Such incidents underscored broader opposition narratives of Banerjee's challenges in delivering on agricultural and rural promises from his prior ministerial role, amid West Bengal's ongoing farmer distress metrics, including stagnant productivity in Birbhum's jute-dependent .

References

  1. https://electionpandit.com/candidate/asish_banerjee
  2. https://www.myneta.info/WestBengal2021/candidate.php?candidate_id=2088
  3. https://ourneta.com/neta/asish-banerjee/
  4. https://inshorts.com/en/news/tmc-mla-asish-banerjee-elected-as-dy-speaker-of-bengal-assembly-1625247631239
  5. https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/governor-c-v-ananda-bose-assigns-deputy-speaker-asish-banerjee-for-swearing-in/cid/2031608
  6. https://www.latestly.com/elections/assembly-elections/west-bengal/2001/rampurhat/asish-banerjee/
  7. https://www.indiavotes.com/ac/allcabdidateparty?stateac=9&emid=154&party=575
  8. https://www.oneindia.com/rampurhat-assembly-elections-wb-291/
  9. https://resultuniversity.com/election/rampurhat-west-bengal-assembly-constituency
  10. https://www.myneta.info/westbengal2016/candidate.php?candidate_id=593
  11. https://www.millenniumpost.in/kolkata/ashis-banerjee-becomes-dy-speaker-445342
  12. https://prsindia.org/mlatrack/asish-banerjee-1
  13. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/amid-governor-stand-off-mlas-to-be-sworn-in-by-speaker-today/articleshow/111940715.cms
  14. https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2010/Sep/21/bengal-delegation-visits-ut-188621.html
  15. https://wbxpress.com/council-ministers-west-bengal-2016/
  16. https://nocorruption.in/politician/asish-banerjee/
  17. https://dbpedia.org/page/Asish_Banerjee
  18. https://www.indiacode.nic.in/show-data?actid=AC_CEN_5_5_00002_196320_1517807317637&orderno=7
  19. https://www.indiatvnews.com/west-bengal/news-west-bengal-governor-authorises-deputy-speaker-to-administer-oath-to-newly-elected-tmc-mlas-2024-07-04-940325
  20. https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/bengal-oath-tmc-mlas-sworn-in-assembly-9435052/
  21. https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2024/Jul/05/west-bengal-governor-dubs-speaker-administering-oath-to-two-tmc-mlas-violation-of-constitution
  22. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/bengal-assembly-oath-controversy-speaker-vs-governor/articleshow/111526376.cms
  23. https://m.economictimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/bengal-governor-writes-to-president-after-speaker-administers-oath-to-mlas/articleshow/111522254.cms
  24. http://www.wbassembly.gov.in/OtherPDF/RPCB.pdf
  25. https://www.thestatesman.com/opinion/the-deputy-speaker-1503020419.html
  26. https://www.thestatesman.com/bengal/west-bengal-government-provides-rs-500-crore-37-lakh-farmers-krishak-bandhu-scheme-1502813677.html
  27. https://swarajyamag.com/insta/west-bengal-governor-jagdeep-dhankhar-slams-mamata-government-for-denying-pm-kisans-benefits-to-farmers-of-state
  28. https://icar-crri.in/meeting-with-honble-minister-in-charge-agriculture-govt-of-west-bengal-on-august-27-2018-at-nabanna-howrah-attachments-area/
  29. https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/india/west-bengal-govt-to-use-isros-remote-sensing-tech-to-assess-crop-damage-5464461.html
  30. https://krishijagran.com/agriculture-world/west-bengal-government-croplife-india-raise-awareness-on-fall-armyworm-management/
  31. https://aitcofficial.org/bangla-govt-ushers-in-massive-change-in-agriculture-aquaculture/
  32. https://aitcofficial.org/wb-govt-starts-beneficiary-schemes-for-marginal-farmers/
  33. https://www.millenniumpost.in/kolkata/state-govt-mulls-alternative-agriculture-methods-to-tackle-rain-deficit-365059
  34. https://thefederal.com/states/east/west-bengal/bengal-farmers-need-reform-but-not-contentious-farm-laws
  35. https://www.getbengal.com/details/bengal-government-focuses-on-higher-income-for-farmers
  36. https://udma.wb.gov.in/public/uploads/circular_pdf/noti_no_t_cp_772_30042015.pdf
  37. https://www.millenniumpost.in/kolkata/rampurhat-close-association-with-people-dev-work-poll-plank-for-tmc-437132
  38. https://www.millenniumpost.in/kolkata/soon-road-to-connect-tarapith-with-gopalpur-more-304986
  39. https://www.millenniumpost.in/kolkata/work-starts-to-develop-tarabitan-near-tarapith-temple-at-rs-516-cr-445523
  40. https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/tmc-infighting-birbhum-violence-bengal-deputy-speaker-ashish-banerjee-7852442/
  41. https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/tmc-infighting-in-birbhum-brings-focus-on-dy-speaker-7853189/
  42. https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/kolkata-news/rivalry-between-tmc-s-birbhum-heavyweights-surfaces-at-abhishek-banerjee-s-meeting-101757953546971.html
  43. https://taazatv.com/article/is-tmc-reinventing-itself-ahead-of-2026-major-reshuffle-in-18-districts-to-tackle-internal-factionalism&50963&en&Uttar%2520Pradesh
  44. https://www.thestatesman.com/bengal/tmc-mulls-organisational-split-in-birbhum-1503436605.html
  45. https://kalimpongonlinenews.blogspot.com/2025/06/tmc-leadership-urges-unity-in-birbhum.html
  46. https://m.economictimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/two-more-held-in-connection-with-rampurhat-violence/articleshow/90574019.cms
  47. https://www.rediff.com/news/report/who-is-anarul-hossain-tmc-leader-held-in-birbhum-killings/20220326.htm
  48. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/markers-of-arson-fresh-bogtui-village-fears-violence-yet-to-come-101653067192488.html
  49. https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/rampurhat-fire-incident-tmc-mla-ashish-banerjee-instrumental-in-massacre-claims-family-member-of-deceased
  50. https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/mamata-lieutenant-anubrata-mondal-cut-down-tmc-10040751/
  51. https://www.newsclick.in/mamata-TMC-tight-spot-rising-violence-court-handing-CBI
  52. https://www.thestatesman.com/bengal/bengal-nations-top-vegetable-producer-1502849322.html
  53. https://x.com/DrAsishBanerje1
  54. https://www.pressreader.com/india/millennium-post-kolkata/20210414/281878711196790
  55. https://www.thestatesman.com/bengal/security-arrangements-discussed-ahead-of-tarapith-temple-festival-1503336873.html
  56. https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/bengal-birbhum-deaths-tmc-pradhan-mamata-banerjee-7835103/
  57. https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kolkata/trinamool-leaders-resort-to-blame-game-over-rampurhat-massacre/article65278139.ece
  58. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/bengal-assembly-chaos-mamatas-linguistic-terror-charge-bjp-mlas-suspended-dragged-out-as-it-happened/articleshow/123697819.cms
  59. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxE_NomBMh0
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.