Kolkata, May 7:
West Bengal BJP chief Suvendu Adhikari’s personal assistant Chandranath Rath was shot dead near Kolkata late Tuesday night, triggering a major political storm in West Bengal amid reports of post-poll violence.
According to reports, Rath was travelling in a car in the Madhyamgram area of North 24 Parganas district when unidentified assailants on motorcycles opened fire at close range. Another aide travelling with him sustained injuries in the attack.
Police have launched an investigation into the killing, while BJP leaders alleged that the attack was politically motivated. Adhikari described the incident as a “pre-planned murder” and demanded a thorough probe, with several BJP leaders seeking a CBI investigation.
The incident comes just days after the BJP’s major electoral gains in the State, intensifying concerns over political violence in Bengal.