Kolkata: The post-poll landscape in West Bengal has been marred by a surge of violence after Chandranath Rath, a key assistant to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suvendu Adhikari, was fatally shot on Wednesday night. The incident occurred in North 24 Parganas, less than 48 hours after the declaration of assembly election results that saw the BJP secure a resounding victory with 207 seats. The saffron camp has characterized the killing as a “targeted assassination,” a claim that has triggered widespread protests and intensified allegations of retaliatory political violence across the province.
According to preliminary reports, Rath was intercepted near Doltala in Madhyamgram at approximately 10:30 p.m. while returning home. Eyewitnesses described a coordinated ambush where a small four-wheeler blocked his SUV near the Doharia junction, allowing motorcycle-borne assailants to open fire from close range. Rath, who served as the executive assistant to the outgoing leader of the opposition, sustained three bullet wounds to his chest and abdomen. Medical staff at a local hospital confirmed he was brought dead, stating there was no opportunity for resuscitation. His driver also suffered injuries and remains in critical condition at a Kolkata medical facility.
The killing has quickly become a political flashpoint in the state. Suvendu Adhikari, who arrived at the hospital shortly after the shooting, described the murder as “heart-wrenching” and alleged that the assailants had conducted a thorough reconnaissance of the area. He termed the current situation as “Mahajungle Raj,” a critique of the previous administration’s tenure, and promised that the incoming BJP government would prioritize the removal of criminal elements. Meanwhile, State BJP President Samik Bhattacharya called the act evidence of the total criminalization of politics, suggesting the attackers intended to send a grim message to the new leadership.
In a significant development, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) issued a statement on Thursday morning condemning the murder and demanding a court-monitored Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe. While the TMC leadership denounced the violence, they also claimed that three of their own workers had been killed in separate post-poll incidents allegedly perpetrated by BJP-backed individuals over the last three days. The party emphasized that political killings have no place in a democracy and urged for the swift identification and prosecution of the guilty parties.
The incident has also drawn criticism from national political figures. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar questioned the effectiveness of the central forces deployed in the region, asking why the presence of 250,000 personnel failed to prevent such a high-profile shooting. These events unfolded despite a “zero tolerance” directive for post-poll violence issued by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to the West Bengal Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police.
Director General of Police Siddhnath Gupta stated that police have recovered cartridges from the scene and seized a vehicle believed to have been used in the attack. While the registration plate suggests a link to the Siliguri Regional Transport Office, investigators suspect the plates may have been tampered with. Forensic teams are currently processing the evidence, and authorities are scanning local CCTV footage to reconstruct the timeline of the ambush. As the BJP prepares for government formation, the province remains on high alert with a heavy police presence deployed to prevent further escalations of civil unrest.
