Political tension in West Bengal intensified on Thursday after Chandranath Rath, a close aide of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, was shot dead in North 24 Parganas district late Wednesday night. The BJP called the incident a “targeted assassination” and accused the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) of encouraging political violence after the assembly election results.
The killing took place less than 48 hours after the fiercely contested assembly poll results were declared, adding to fears of fresh post-poll violence in the state.
Police increased security in Madhyamgram, Doharia and nearby areas on Thursday morning after BJP workers staged protests demanding the immediate arrest of the attackers. Senior police officials appealed for calm and warned people not to spread rumours.
“We are keeping strict vigil in sensitive pockets, and additional forces have been deployed. People should not pay heed to rumours,” a senior West Bengal Police officer told PTI.
Attack Took Place Near Doharia
According to police, Rath was returning home to Madhyamgram around 10.30 pm when motorcycle-borne assailants intercepted his SUV near Doharia. Eyewitnesses said a small car blocked Rath’s vehicle before the attackers opened fire from close range and fled.
Doctors at the hospital said Rath was brought dead.
“The victim was brought dead with two bullet injuries on his chest, which pierced his heart, while another bullet struck his abdominal area. There was no opportunity to resuscitate him,” a doctor said.
Rath’s driver, Buddhadeb Bera, was also injured in the firing and remains under treatment at a Kolkata hospital.
Television visuals showed Rath’s SUV with a shattered windshield, blood stains inside the vehicle and police personnel securing the crime scene.
BJP Calls It “Cold-Blooded Murder”
Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari reached the hospital shortly after midnight and described the incident as a “cold-blooded murder”.
“This is a cold-blooded murder. The DGP has assured that they will investigate the matter,” Adhikari said.
“The way the attack was executed clearly suggests that the assailants had done a recce beforehand,” he alleged.
Adhikari, however, said the BJP would wait for the police investigation before naming anyone responsible. He also claimed BJP workers were facing attacks in different parts of Bengal after the election results.
“While we were here, one of our cadre was shot at in Basirhat, and another was stabbed in Baranagar,” he claimed.
The BJP leader later alleged that Bengal had turned into “Mahajungle Raj” under the TMC government.
“This is the result of 15 years of Mahajungle Raj in Bengal,” he said.
State BJP president Samik Bhattacharya also called the killing evidence of the “criminalisation of politics” in the state.
“This was a planned and targeted attack. By killing the PA of the outgoing leader of opposition, the assailants wanted to send a political message,” Bhattacharya said.
BJP MLA-elect Kaustav Bagchi directly blamed the TMC leadership for the attack.
“This is the handiwork of Mamata and Abhishek Banerjee. We will not rest until the criminals are identified,” he alleged.
TMC Demands Court-Monitored CBI Probe
The Trinamool Congress condemned Rath’s killing and demanded a court-monitored CBI investigation into the case. In a statement, the party also alleged that three TMC workers had been killed in separate incidents of post-poll violence over the last three days.
“We strongly condemn the brutal murder of Chandranath Rath in Madhyamgram tonight,” the TMC statement said.
The party accused “BJP-backed miscreants” of carrying out attacks on its workers in several districts.
Police Probe Underway, CCTV Footage Examined
West Bengal Police said multiple investigation teams have been formed to trace the attackers. Officers are examining CCTV footage from the crime scene and nearby areas.
Director General of Police Siddhinath Gupta said police recovered empty cartridges and live ammunition from the spot. Investigators also seized a suspicious vehicle allegedly used during the attack.
“The registration number appears to be from the Siliguri Regional Transport Office, but our initial impression is that the number plate may have been tampered with,” Gupta said.
Police suspect the attackers may have used sophisticated firearms, possibly Glock pistols, during the assault.
“A weapon of this nature is generally not used by ordinary criminals. We are examining whether professional shooters were involved,” a senior police officer said on condition of anonymity.
According to preliminary findings, six to ten rounds were fired during the attack. Police believe the assailants used motorcycles without number plates and wore helmets to avoid identification.
“We have recovered empty cartridges and live ammunition from the crime spot. At this stage, the motive behind the attack is not clear,” DGP Gupta added.
