BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari’s personal assistant shot dead near Kolkata

West Bengal BJP Leader and winning candidate from Bhabanipur constituency, Suvendu Adhikari’s personal assistant Chandranath Rath shot dead in North 24 Parganas on Wednesday.

West Bengal BJP Leader and winning candidate from Bhabanipur constituency, Suvendu Adhikari’s personal assistant Chandranath Rath shot dead in North 24 Parganas on Wednesday.

Adhikari’s close confidant Rath was shot in the Madhyamgram area in North 24 Parganas on Wednesday night, triggering widespread tension in the locality and prompting a police investigation.

Reportedly, Chandra Nath Dutt was shot at close range inside his car, sustaining bullet injuries to his chest and head. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but succumbed to his injuries during treatment. BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari reached hospital, after the assasination. 
 

According to initial reports, the incident involved an exchange of fire with at least four rounds being fired before Chandra was fatally shot.

Also Read: Who was Chandranath Rath? Suvendu Adhikari's trusted aide brutally executed in Bengal post-poll bloodshed

Another individual accompanying Rath was also injured in the exchange of fire and has been rushed to the hospital. The shooter is believed to have arrived on a motorcycle before opening fire, and three of four bullets hit Rath. 

Details pertaining to the exact sequence of events remain unclear; meanwhile Police have launched an investigation into the incident.

BJP Leader condemn Chandranath's killing

BJP Leader and Delhi Minsiter Manjinder Singh Sirsa condemeded Rath's killing and blamed the Trinamool Congress for the incident. 

"These TMC goons are not just TMC goons, they have become Bangladeshi goons," said Sirsa in a telephonic conversation to Zee News.

BJP Leader Keya Ghosh said, "Chandranath Rath or Chandra, who we used to know as Suvendu Adhikari's PA, has been shot from point-blank range at Madhyamgram. He worked intensely at Bhabanipur where Suvendu Adhikari made a historic win against Mamata Banerjee. Now join the dots. This is why I always maintain - TMC is a party of looters and killers and the most vindictive party. Because Suvendu's PA worked so intensely, TMC targeted him out of rage, frustration and anger. But after the new government is formed, the shooters and the people who gave 'Supari' for Chandra's killing won't be spared."

Meanwhile the TMC has also issue statement condemning the incident, in an X post AITC said, "We strongly condemn the brutal murder of Chandranath Rath in Madhyamgram tonight, along with the killing of three other TMC workers in incidents of post-poll violence allegedly carried out by BJP-backed miscreants over 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 guilty must be held accountable at the earliest." 

The incident comes amid a spate of violent incidents reported across West Bengal following the BJP’s decisive electoral victory, in which the party won 207 of the 294 Assembly seats, ending the Trinamool Congress’s 15-year rule in the state.Meanwhile, heavy security has been deployed outside the hospital.

ECI issues directive to West Bengal Chief Secretary

Earlier on Tuesday, the Election Commission of India (ECI) issued a stern directive to the West Bengal Chief Secretary (CS), Director General of Police (DGP), and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) to ensure 'zero tolerance' toward any incidents of post-poll violence in the state.

Addressing the post-poll violence, Suvendu Adhikari had earlier downplayed allegations against the BJP. Adhikari challenged critics to provide specific details, while the West Bengal BJP warned against TMC's "Gunda Vahini" impersonating its workers to create chaos.

Addressing mediapersons, Adhikari said, "Tell me where all it is happening, tell me the number of area, the Police Station area, Assembly, district - the outgoing LoP is ready to answer all questions...100 FIRs have not been lodged. DGP told me 50-60 complaints were received; they were small complaints."