Chandranath Rath, a prominent aide to BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, was tragically gunned down on Wednesday in Madhyamgram, West Bengal. Rath, who served as Adhikari’s executive assistant, suffered fatal injuries and was declared dead shortly after arriving at Diversity Nursing Home.
Incident Details
The brutal shooting occurred near Doharia on Jessore Road in the North 24 Parganas district. Reports indicate that Rath was returning to his residence from Kolkata when assailants on a motorcycle intercepted his vehicle.
Attack Description
- The attackers first targeted the front windshield of Rath’s car.
- They then opened fire at close range, hitting Rath multiple times in the chest.
- Another individual traveling in the vehicle sustained injuries and was later transferred to another medical facility.
Visual evidence shows the front windshield shattered by gunfire, while a heavy police presence cordoned off the area. The brutal nature of the attack prompted a swift response from BJP leaders and supporters, who gathered outside the nursing home where Rath was treated.
Political Reactions
Following the incident, tensions rose in the locality, prompting the deployment of a significant police force. Senior law enforcement officials have initiated an investigation to identify the perpetrators and determine the motives behind this violent attack. BJP MLA Tarunjyoti Tewari commented, “We have been preaching peace but TMC has made its biggest blunder.”
Trinamool Congress Response
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has condemned the murder of Chandranath Rath, citing this incident amidst a series of violent actions allegedly involving BJP supporters in the aftermath of recent elections. TMC has called for a rigorous investigation, including a CBI probe, asserting that “violence and political killings have no place in a democracy.”
The party’s statement emphasized the need for accountability, demanding swift action to ensure those responsible are identified and brought to justice.
