Suvendu Adhikari's Assistant Shot Dead In Madhyamgram 48 Hours After BJP's Bengal Poll Sweep

Kolkata: BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari's assistant, Chandranath Rath, was shot dead in West Bengal's Madhyamgram on Wednesday late at night. This comes just 48 hours after BJP emerged victorious in the Bengal Assembly elections for the first time, ending TMC's 15-year rule in the state. As per reports, three rounds were fired at Rath from point-blank range by unknown assailants.

Chandranath Rath, who was also an ex-serviceman, suffered bullet injuries to his head and chest. Tension broke out in North 24 Parganas district following the attack in Doharia area.

Rath was travelling in a car to his home when the assailants followed his vehicle for few kilometers before opening fire. Visuals have surfaced showing the windows of the vehicle cracked with bullet holes in them following the brutal shooting.

Rath was immediately rushed to a hospital, where he was declared dead by the doctors.

Notably, Chandranath Rath was managing the campaign of the BJP leader from Bhabanipur, a seat which had been a stronghold of TMC leader and outgoing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee from 2011. However, in the recently-concluded elections Suvendu Adhikari toppled Mamata's hold on Bhabanipur, defeating her by a margin of more than 15,000 votes.

Angry Crowd Gathers Outside Hospital

Suvendu Adhikari, who was not present at the spot when the attack took place, has reached the Vivacity Hospital, where Rath's body has been kept. A huge crowd gathered outside the hospital, raising slogans, demanding justice and blaming the TMC for the attack.

Driver Injured

Buddhadeb, the man who was driving Chandranath Rath's car, was also injured in the shooting. He has been shifted to SSKM Hospital in Kolkata and is presently said to be in a critical condition.

Police Launch Investigation

Police have launched an investigation into the murder of Chandranath Rath. West Bengal DGP Siddh Nath Gupta said, “We have seized the 4-wheeler used in the crime, but it is being reported that the number plate of the car is false and has been tampered with. We found live rounds and fired cartridges from the spot.”

The DGP added, "The eye-witnesses and evidence are being processed and further investigation is underway."

TMC Condemns Murder of Suvendu's PA

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) issued a statement shortly after the brutal murder of Chandranath Rath. Condeming the murder, the party demanded “strongest” action in the matter.

In a post on X, TMC said, “We strongly condemn the brutal murder of Chandranath Rath in Madhyamgram tonight, along with the killing of three other TMC workers in incidents of post-poll violence allegedly carried out by BJP-backed miscreants over the last three days, despite the Model Code of Conduct being in force.”

“We demand the strongest possible action in this matter, including a court-monitored CBI investigation so that those responsible are identified and brought to justice without delay. Violence and political killings have no place in a democracy and the guilty must be held accountable at the earliest,” the party added.

TMC Targeted Him Out Of Rage: BJP Leader

BJP leader Keya Ghosh blamed TMC for the murder of Suvendu's PA. She said Chandranath Rath had worked intensely at Bhabanipur, where Suvendu Adhikari made a historic win against Mamata Banerjee. “Now join the dots. This is why I always maintain - TMC is a party of looters and killers and the most vindictive party,” she added.

“Because Suvendu's PA worked so intensely, TMC targeted him out of rage, frustration and anger," she further said. Ghosh also assured that once BJP's government is formed in the state, the shooters and the people who gave “supari” for Rath's killing won't be spared.

BJP leader Sujay Kumar Dey said that TMC is seeking to instill an atmosphere of fear in Madhyamgram. “They want to demonstrate that power still rests in the hands of the TMC, and that they will continue to murder people in this manner,” he added.

Another BJP Worker Killed In Basirhat

As the killing of Suvendu Adhikari's assistant sent shockwaves across West Bengal, another murder took place in the state. A shoot-out took place in Basirhat, in which a BJP worker named Rohit Roy was killed.

Post-Election Verdict Violence

This comes amid violence in the state following the verdict of the state Assembly elections, that saw Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ending the 15-year rule of Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress (TMC). On Tuesday night, five security personnel, including CRPF jawans and police officers, sustained bullet injuries when rival TMC groups clashed in Sandeshkhali. 

According to reports, tension had been simmering in the area since afternoon amid political clashes following the election outcome. A police team accompanied by central security forces had gone on routine night patrol when they allegedly came under sudden gunfire attack.

Reacting sharply to the incident, newly elected BJP MLA and Sandeshkhali survivor Rekha Patra accused the Bengal Police of acting in favour of the TMC and failing to take action against those allegedly involved in the violence.

Patra claimed that anti-social elements were still operating freely in Sandeshkhali and demanded immediate arrests. She alleged that local women were being threatened and said residents no longer trusted the state police.

“The police has forgotten its duty. The state police is working for TMC,” Patra said during her interaction, while also demanding stronger intervention by central forces in the region.

Abhishek Banerjee's Open Threat To BJP

The attacks come around a week after Trinamool Congress (TMC) General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee, while addressing a public rally, issued an open threat to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Abhishek Banerjee, who is the nephew of outgoing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, had said, “After 4 May, I'll personally see how much power these executioners have, and whose father comes from Delhi to save you.”