In a shocking incident that has triggered political and security concerns in West Bengal, the personal assistant of senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari was shot dead in Madhyamgram, barely two days after the party’s significant victory in the state assembly election.
The deceased, identified as Chandranath Rath, was reportedly travelling in a moving vehicle when unidentified assailants targeted him in the Madhyamgram area of North 24 Parganas district, near Kolkata. According to preliminary information, the attackers had been following Rath’s vehicle before opening fire when the car slowed down on the road.
Sources said four rounds were fired at the vehicle, of which three bullets struck Rath, causing critical injuries. Despite efforts to save him, he succumbed to his injuries. Visuals from the scene showed the front left-side window of the car shattered with multiple bullet marks, underlining the intensity of the attack.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the political circles of the state, especially within the BJP camp. Chandranath Rath was considered a trusted aide and a key member of Suvendu Adhikari’s inner political circle. He had reportedly been associated with the BJP leader for several years and was actively involved in managing political coordination, organisational responsibilities, and constituency-related matters.
Soon after receiving information about the attack, Suvendu Adhikari rushed to the hospital in Madhyamgram where Rath’s body was kept under police supervision. Party workers and supporters also gathered at the hospital premises, demanding swift action against the perpetrators.
The driver of the vehicle, identified as Buddhadeb, was also injured during the firing incident. He was immediately shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment. His condition is said to be under medical observation.
Police have launched an investigation into the murder and are examining all possible angles, including political rivalry and targeted killing. CCTV footage from nearby areas is reportedly being scanned to trace the movement of the attackers and identify the suspects involved in the shooting.
The killing comes at a politically sensitive time in West Bengal, where tensions often escalate after election results. The incident is expected to intensify the ongoing political confrontation in the state, with the BJP likely to raise serious questions over law and order and the safety of its workers and leaders.
Senior BJP leaders have condemned the attack and demanded an impartial probe into the murder. Security arrangements in the region have also reportedly been tightened following the incident.
