BJP Condemns 'Political Assassination' of Suvendu Adhikari Aide in West Bengal

KOLKATA, West Bengal – The political landscape of West Bengal has been further roiled by the brutal killing of Chandranath Rath, a close aide to prominent BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari. Samik Bhattacharya, the state president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), swiftly and unequivocally condemned the incident, characterizing it as a 'planned, vengeful, political assassination'. The incident has intensified existing political tensions in the region, which has a documented history of electoral violence.

Chandranath Rath, described by Shamik Bhattacharya as a non-political figure, was reportedly shot dead by gunmen on motorcycles who ambushed his vehicle near Doltala in Madhyamgram, North 24 Parganas district, late on Wednesday night. Rath sustained multiple bullet injuries to his head, chest, and abdomen and was pronounced dead at Viva City Hospital. Another individual traveling with Rath, Buddhadeb Bera, also suffered serious gunshot injuries and is currently in critical condition.

Bhattacharya, who has served as the state president of BJP West Bengal since July 2025, expressed deep anger and warned the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) about the consequences of such actions. He questioned the motive behind the murder of an individual he asserted had no direct ties to politics, suggesting the killing might be a 'political message' directed at the BJP or even Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had an upcoming visit to the state. The BJP leader alleged that local miscreants and Trinamool leaders could not have been unaware of such a major planned attack.

Suvendu Adhikari, himself a significant figure in West Bengal politics who has served as the Leader of the Opposition from 2021 to 2026 and recently became the ninth Chief Minister of West Bengal, also termed Rath's killing a 'cold-blooded and pre-planned murder'. Adhikari, who famously defeated Mamata Banerjee in Nandigram in 2021 and Bhabanipur in 2026, highlighted that a recce had been conducted for two to three days prior to the attack, indicating careful planning by the assailants.

The murder comes amidst a backdrop of persistent political violence in West Bengal. Reports from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) have previously indicated that West Bengal records a high number of political murders compared to other states. Post-election violence has been a recurring issue, notably following the 2021 Assembly elections and the 2023 Panchayat polls, which saw numerous casualties and widespread clashes between workers of rival political parties, including the TMC and BJP. The BJP has frequently accused the TMC of fostering an environment of lawlessness and violence, with allegations of criminals operating fearlessly in regions like Barasat-Madhyamgram.

Authorities have initiated an investigation into Rath's murder. West Bengal Police Chief Siddh Nath Gupta noted that motorbikes used in the ambush, bearing fake registration numbers, have been seized, and efforts are underway to apprehend the assailants. Police are also investigating a suspicious vehicle with a scratched number plate found near the scene, which was later found to be registered to an individual whose actual vehicle was safely elsewhere, suggesting deliberate deception. Security forces, including central security personnel, have been deployed in Madhyamgram and around the hospital due to escalating anger among BJP workers.

Bhattacharya emphasized the need for impartiality from the police and stated that he would inform Governor R.N. Ravi about the incident. He expressed concerns about the impact on democratic processes, asserting that 'no rule of law' is left in West Bengal and that the state has been reduced to 'Jungle Raj'. The incident highlights the volatile political climate in West Bengal, where political rivalries frequently manifest in violence, raising serious questions about governance and public safety.