West Bengal shooting: Suvendu Adhikari aide Chandranath Rath killed in Madhyamgram

Chandranath Rath, personal assistant to BJP leader and West Bengal assembly opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari, was shot dead in Madhyamgram in North 24 Parganas, party sources said. Assailants on a motorcycle allegedly intercepted his car on Jessore Road and fired at close range. Another person travelling with him was injured.

BJP sources said Chandranath Rath, who worked for Suvendu Adhikari, was shot dead on Wednesday night. The attack took place in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district. Rath served as the executive assistant to the leader of opposition in the state assembly. Police began an investigation, but no arrests were reported by filing time.

Party sources said Rath was returning from Kolkata to a flat in Madhyamgram by car. The firing happened near Doharia on Jessore Road. A motorcycle with unidentified assailants allegedly intercepted the vehicle. The attackers fired at close range and then fled the area, sources said.

West Bengal BJP shooting: How the attack unfolded

Sources said the attackers first shot at the car’s front windshield. They then fired several more rounds at Rath, who sat in the front seat. BJP leaders claimed several bullets hit Rath’s chest. The leaders also said Rath lost a large amount of blood during the attack.

Another person inside the car was also injured, sources said. Locals took Rath to a private nursing home on Jessore Road. Doctors declared Rath dead at the facility. The BJP’s West Bengal media cell said Rath "was brought dead to the hospital\". The injured person was sent to another medical facility.

West Bengal BJP shooting: Political reaction and security steps

Television visuals showed a shattered front windshield with bullet damage. Police and central forces cordoned off the area, as seen in the footage. The killing spread quickly across the area. BJP workers and supporters gathered outside the medical facility. The crowd expressed anger as more party leaders arrived.

Senior BJP leaders reached the spot soon after, sources said. Suvendu Adhikari also visited the area later in the night. Suvendu Adhikari was also on the way to the hospital, party sources said. \"We have been preaching peace but TMC has made its biggest blunder,\" newly elected BJP MLA Tarunjyoti Tewari said.

The incident caused concern across West Bengal’s political circles, amid tensions after the recent assembly election results. Police deployed a large contingent in the area as tension rose. Senior officers went to the scene and started inquiries. Sources said teams were trying to identify the assailants and confirm the motive. Further details were awaited.

With inputs from PTI