The situation in West Bengal, rocked by post-poll violence following the BJP’s landslide victory that ended 15 years of TMC rule, took a serious turn Wednesday night when Chandranath Rath, executive assistant to BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, was shot dead in the Doharia area of Madhyamgram in North 24 Parganas district.
Rath, a close aide of Adhikari who is the frontrunner for the post of Chief Minister, was shot point blank after his car was intercepted by motorcycle-borne assailants around 10.20 pm. He died on the spot. His driver sustained serious injuries and was taken to the SSKM Hospital in Kolkata.
Police sources said Rath was returning to his home in Barasat when his car was stopped by men on one or two motorcycles in the Doharia area. A man came close to the car window and fired three rounds at him, the sources said. Rath was seated next to the driver.
A senior police officer said, “It’s a planned murder. Because after he shot Rath, the killer waited for him to die.”
Rath was rushed to a private hospital where he was declared dead. One of the doctors said that two persons were brought to the emergency section of the hospital. While one was brought dead, the other had sustained gunshot injuries, the doctor said.
Adhikari and Rath’s wife set out for the hospital as soon as they learnt of the attack.
West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya told reporters: “This was expected. How low can they get? I have said that once the government goes, the Governor has to take responsibility. The TMC… stooped so low that they killed Suvendu Adhikari’s PA. Earlier, they have attacked our leaders including Suvendu, Dilip Ghosh and others. This is a very unfortunate incident. Even his mother is part of our party. Killing the Leader of Opposition’s PA is a message. Let the people decide. We will take legal steps.”
The TMC, in a statement on X, 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 TMC said.
According to police sources, an investigation has begun and searches are being conducted. Police are looking at CCTV footage of the area.
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…
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) May 6, 2026
Once with the Indian Air Force, Rath was one of the closest aides of Adhikari. From Chandipur of Purba Medinipur, he was the son of Chandipur panchayat member Hasi Rath.
Rath had been with Adhikari since 2018. When Adhikari joined the BJP, he made Rath his personal assistant. And after Adhikari became the Leader of Opposition, Rath became his executive assistant.
Incidents of violence have been reported from different parts of the state after the elections. On Wednesday, DGP Siddh Nath Gupta said a total of 200 FIRs have been filed regarding post-poll incidents, leading to the arrest of 433 individuals.
“Since May 4, after the announcement of results, there have been incidents of violence, including threats, assaults, and intimidation. We have registered more than 200 FIRs and arrested 433 people so far. We have detained more than 1,100 people under preventive measures,” he said, adding that there have been reports of violence and assault since Wednesday morning.
He said two deaths related to post-poll violence – one at Nanoor and another at New Town – have been reported. “We are investigating both cases. We have been able to arrest those involved in these two murders,” he said.