Post-election tension in West Bengal escalated on Wednesday evening after Chandranath Rath, a close aide of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, was shot dead in North 24 Parganas. The BJP described the incident as a “targeted murder”, which sparked protests and strong reactions.
The murder, which occurred less than 48 hours after the announcement of the hotly disputed parliamentary election results, shook the political landscape of the state. The BJP accused the TMC of carrying out retaliatory violence, while the TMC countered by claiming that its own workers were attacked in several districts.
How was PA Suvendu Adhikari killed?
According to preliminary information, Rath was intercepted near Doltala in Madhyamgram around 10.30 pm by motorcycle-borne assailants who followed his vehicle, forced him to stop and opened fire before fleeing, PTI reported.
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Chandranath Rath was shot dead by motorcycle-borne assailants near Doltala in Madhyamgram. The attackers intercepted his vehicle, forced him to stop and shot him at close range before fleeing.
The BJP described the incident as a “targeted killing” and a “cold-blooded murder”. They claimed that it was part of a conspiracy hatched by Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee and that the attackers had conducted a survey beforehand.
Condemning the murder, the TMC also drew attention to the killing of three of its own workers in alleged post-poll violence by BJP-backed miscreants. They demanded a court-monitored CBI probe.
Chandranath Rath was a close associate of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari. He was a former Indian Air Force personnel with nearly two decades of service and also worked briefly in the corporate sector before moving into political coordination.
Yes, Suvendu Adhikari has described the killing as “heartbreaking” and “cold-blooded murder” and attributes it to TMC’s 15 years of “Mahajungle raj”. He also claimed that the attackers conducted a reconnaissance.
Eyewitnesses claimed that the vehicle carrying Rath was first blocked near the Doharia junction by a small four-wheeler, after which a motorcycle rider approached the SUV and started firing at close range.
An eyewitness told ANI, “Just as Chandra’s car crossed mine, it suddenly stopped in the middle of the road and a person on a bike came and started firing at the left side of the car. He seemed to be an expert and immediately ran away. It seemed pre-planned. The shots were fired from close range. I heard the sound of two shots. The incident took place between 3:00 pm and 10:00 pm. The public brought the victim to the hospital and they also shot the driver of the car.
BJP leader says, “We have been expecting this for the last 3 days”
BJP leader Navin Mishra said: “We predicted it… In the last three days – and indeed after the election results were announced – I have stated several times that we suspected vandalism and sabotage would take place at various places… I can state with absolute certainty that this alleged murder is part of a massive conspiracy hatched by Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek. It seems that Banerjee was definitely in the majority.” conspiracy involving Rajeev Kumar.”
Here’s what TMC had to say
In a post on X, the TMC said, “We strongly condemn the brutal killing of Chandranath Rath in Madhyamgram this evening along with the killing of three other TMC workers in incidents of post-poll violence allegedly carried out by BJP-backed miscreants in 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 culprits must be brought to justice at the earliest, the TMC added.
What did Adhikari say
Adhikari, who arrived at the hospital around midnight, described the killing as “heartbreaking” and claimed that the attackers had conducted a reconnaissance before the attack.
“It is a cold-blooded murder. The DGP has assured to investigate the matter,” he said. “The manner in which the attack was carried out clearly indicates that the attackers had done their reconnaissance in advance,” said a BJP leader.
However, Adhikari stopped short of directly naming any organization behind the attack and appealed to party workers not to take the law into their own hands.
“We don’t want to make any conclusions yet because the police are investigating the matter,” he said.
Who was Chandranath Rath?
Chandranath Rath, a close aide of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari who was gunned down in North 24 Parganas, took a very different path before entering politics – from a career in the Indian Air Force to become one of Adhikari’s trusted aides.
**EDS: THIRD PARTY IMAGE** In this picture obtained on May 6, 2026, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari’s personal assistant Chandranath Rath was shot dead at close range by unidentified assailants in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal on Wednesday evening, sources said. (Background via PTI photo) (PTI05_06_2026_000454B)(PTI)
Rath, 41, originally hailed from Chandipur in Purba Medinipur district, the same political constituency closely associated with Adhikari’s rise in West Bengal politics, PTI reported citing party sources.
He has been described as quiet and unassuming, but has largely stayed out of the public eye despite being part of Adhikari’s inner circle for several years.
Before joining active political work, Rath served in the Indian Air Force for nearly two decades after completing his education at the Rahara Ramakrishna Mission.
BJP insiders described him as someone who enjoyed Adhikari’s complete trust and was often involved in the sensitive tasks of campaign management and political coordination. He was also part of the core team during several high-voltage political battles, including the BJP’s Bhabanipur campaign, PTI reported.
There was even speculation within sections of the BJP organization that Rath might be given more administrative responsibilities if Adhikari assumed a bigger role in the government after the assembly elections.
(With input from agencies)
