Kolkata, May 7
West Bengal witnessed fresh political unrest on Wednesday night after Chandranath Rath, a close aide of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, was shot dead in North 24 Parganas district. The incident has intensified tensions in the state just days after the assembly election results, with the BJP accusing the Trinamool Congress of politically motivated violence.
According to police, Rath was attacked near Doltala in Madhyamgram while returning home late at night. Preliminary findings suggest that motorcycle-borne assailants intercepted his vehicle and opened fire before fleeing the scene. Rath, who worked as the executive assistant to the Leader of the Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, was declared dead at the hospital. His driver also sustained bullet injuries and remains under treatment.
The BJP described the incident as a targeted killing and alleged that violence against its workers had increased after the election results. Suvendu Adhikari, who visited the hospital shortly after the incident, called the murder “cold-blooded” and said the attackers appeared to have planned the assault in advance.
He said police had assured a proper investigation and appealed to party workers to remain calm while the probe continues. Adhikari also claimed that BJP workers were attacked in other parts of the state following the poll outcome.
Senior BJP leaders alleged that the attack was politically motivated and demanded strict action against those responsible. Party supporters gathered outside the hospital late into the night, raising slogans and demanding arrests. Heavy police deployment was made in the area to prevent any further escalation.
The Trinamool Congress condemned the killing and demanded a court monitored CBI investigation into the matter. The ruling party also alleged that several of its workers had been attacked in separate incidents of post-poll violence over the past few days.
Police said cartridges were recovered from the crime scene and a vehicle suspected to have been used in the attack has been seized. Investigators are examining CCTV footage, and forensic teams have collected evidence to identify those involved. Officials said the motive behind the killing is being investigated.
The incident has once again brought attention to the tense political atmosphere in West Bengal, where both the BJP and the TMC have repeatedly accused each other of violence and intimidation after elections.
