Kolkata: Trinamool on Thursday demanded a court-monitored CBI investigation into the killing of Suvendu Adhikari's aide Chandranath Rath, while firmly denying any involvement in the murder.
In a late-night statement on Wednesday, the party condemned "the brutal murder of Chandranath Rath in Madhyamgram, along with the killing of three other Trinamool workers in incidents of post-poll violence allegedly carried out by BJP-backed miscreants over the last three days."
It demanded "the strongest possible action" and a court-monitored CBI probe "so that those responsible are identified and brought to justice without delay."
Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy echoed the demand. "There is absolutely no place for such violence in a democracy. We have absolutely no connection to this incident whatsoever — this is part of the post-poll violence that has been taking place," he told ANI.
A Trinamool senior dismissed BJP's allegations as politicisation. "The police are investigating professionally. We are the ones who demanded a CBI probe," the neta said.
Congress demanded a transparent investigation and accused both parties of "turning every tragedy into a political battle. The focus should remain on arresting the killers and ensuring justice, not on political point-scoring," a state Congress senior said.
CPM, too, condemned the killing. "The administration must act firmly and impartially," said a party neta.