Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal, Suvendu Adhikari, has leveled explosive allegations following the post-mortem of his executive assistant, Chandranath Rath. Adhikari claimed on Thursday that the 38-year-old was targeted specifically because of his professional association with him, suggesting the murder was a political vendetta stemming from Adhikari’s electoral success against the Chief Minister in Bhawanipur.
Accompanied by BJP MPs and party leaders at Madhyamgram, a visibly distraught Adhikari described the loss as a “deeply personal blow.” Addressing reporters, he stated, “I believe if I hadn’t defeated the Chief Minister in Bhawanipur, Chandranath wouldn’t have had to pay this price. His only ‘crime’ was being the assistant to the Leader of the Opposition.”
The Assassination Plot
According to Adhikari, the killing was a “cold-blooded, premeditated execution” carried out by professional contract killers. He alleged that the assailants had conducted a “recce” of the area for three to four days prior to the attack.
“The attackers knew exactly where to strike. Five bullets were pumped into him. It appears they had mapped out his chest to ensure his death was certain,” Adhikari said, noting that the victim had previously served in the Indian Air Force for a decade before joining his staff.
The Fatal Encounter: How the Murder Unfolded
The incident occurred late Wednesday night in Madhyamgram. According to police sources and eyewitness accounts, the tragedy unfolded as follows:
The Ambush : Chandranath Rath was traveling when he was intercepted by a group of miscreants who arrived in a four-wheeler.
The Shooting : The assailants opened fire at close range. Reports indicate that five bullets struck the victim, primarily in the torso.
The Escape : After ensuring the victim was incapacitated, the gunmen abandoned their vehicle and fled the scene on motorcycles to navigate through the local lanes quickly.
Discovery : Local residents and police rushed to the spot, but the attackers had already disappeared. A “suspicious” motorcycle was later recovered by investigators approximately four kilometers away from the crime scene.
Investigation and Support
While Chandranath did not have a direct political profile or a history of public agitation, his mother is a known BJP leader. Adhikari emphasized that high-ranking officials, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP leader Nitin Nabin, have extended their condolences to the family.
Director General of Police (DGP) Siddhinaath Gupta has reportedly assured that the investigation is progressing. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) and the CID are expected to spearhead the probe.
Adhikari has vowed to take full responsibility for the future of the deceased’s wife and young daughter. “The family demands immediate justice and the arrest of the killers. It is my duty to ensure that happens,” he concluded.
Despite the recovery of a getaway vehicle, no arrests have been made as of Thursday afternoon. Local authorities continue to scan CCTV footage from the Madhyamgram area to identify the suspects.