Bapi Roy and Mohammad Sajjad, two TMC leaders, were at an eatery in the Srikrishnapur area of Islampur along the national highway when they were targeted by unidentified men who surrounded them. While both sustained bullet wounds and were taken to hospital, Bapi, 35, was declared dead on arrival by the doctors.

TMC district president Kanayalal Agarwal said, “The duo were standing and talking to each other. At that time 9-10 people came and fired on them from point-blank range. A bullet hit Bapi’s throat.”

According to party sources, Sajjad’s condition is critical. He was taken to the North Bengal Medical College Hospital.

Bapi Roy’s family has demanded a CBI inquiry into the murder. “He left home around 5.30 yesterday. He was talking to party people. Suddenly there was a gunshot. We want those who did this to be hanged. We want a CBI investigation. He was shot in the eyes and shoulders. This murder is for political reasons. We need to know who hatched such a big conspiracy against him,” a family member said on the condition of anonymity.

The incident took place after results were announced for the bypoll in the Raiganj Assembly constituency, which TMC candidate Krishna Kalyani, who had quit the BJP, won by a margin of more than 50,000 votes.

Police have not arrested anyone for the murder so far.

J B Thomas, Superintendent of Police, said, “Those who are behind the incident will be arrested. The investigation is being done thoroughly.”

The Opposition BJP’s Siliguri MLA, Shankar Ghosh, criticised Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the law and order situation.

“It is the TMC’s karma Who did it and why he was shot are part of the investigation, but the TMC has given shelter to all the criminals to loot votes and create fear. Now these people don’t fear anyone and are committing such crimes frequently. There is no law and order in the state and this incident is evidence of that. If anyone is to be blamed for this deteriorated law and order situation in Bengal, it is the CM,” he said.