The personal assistant (PA) of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suvendu Adhikari was shot dead in West Bengal’s Madhyamgram area on Wednesday, triggering sharp political reactions just days after the BJP’s major electoral victory in the state assembly polls.
The victim, identified as Chandranath Rath, was travelling in a car when unidentified assailants allegedly followed the vehicle and opened fire after it slowed down in the North 24 Parganas District near Kolkata.
According to reports, four rounds were fired at the vehicle, with three bullets hitting Chandranath. Visuals from the scene showed bullet marks and shattered glass on the left front window of the car.
Chandranath Rath, who had worked closely with Suvendu Adhikari for several years, was considered part of the BJP leader’s inner circle and handled political coordination and organisational responsibilities.
The victim’s driver Buddhadeb was also injured in the attack and taken to hospital for treatment.
After hearing the news, Suvendu Adhikari rushed to the hospital in Madhyamgram where Chandranath’s body had been taken.
Speaking to reporters, the BJP leader described the incident as a “cold-blooded murder” and alleged that the attackers had conducted prior reconnaissance before carrying out the shooting.
Suvendu Adhikari’s brother, Dibyendu Adhikari, demanded an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and accused the ruling All India Trinamool Congress of involvement in the killing.
Several BJP leaders also alleged political motives behind the attack, claiming it reflected a culture of violence in West Bengal politics.
The Trinamool Congress condemned the murder in a statement posted on social media and accused “BJP-backed miscreants” of attempting to create unrest and post-election violence across the state.
Meanwhile, Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Kumar Nand said police had arrested or detained dozens of people in connection with separate incidents of violence reported after the election results.
Suvendu Adhikari recently gained national attention after defeating West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in the Bhabanipur constituency and has emerged as one of the BJP’s key political figures in the state.
