BJP Aide Gunned Down in Bengal Amid Rising Post-Poll Violence

In a shocking incident that highlights the escalating violence in West Bengal following recent elections, Chandranath Rath, an aide to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suvendu Adhikari, was shot dead in the North 24 Parganas district. The attack occurred on Wednesday night as Rath was en route to his residence in Barasat, underscoring the volatile atmosphere in the region.

According to reports, Rath was intercepted by assailants on motorbikes while travelling in a car in Madhyamgram, located near Kolkata. At approximately 10:20 PM, one of the attackers approached the vehicle and fired three shots at close quarters. Rath, who was seated next to the driver, sustained critical injuries and was declared dead upon arrival at the hospital. His driver, identified as Buddhadeb, suffered severe injuries and is currently receiving medical treatment.

The police department has initiated an investigation into the incident, which has been characterized as a “planned murder” by an unnamed senior police official. Eyewitness accounts suggest that the assailant waited for Rath to succumb to his injuries before fleeing the scene, raising questions about the premeditated nature of the attack. Security camera footage from the area is being scrutinized to identify the perpetrators and establish their motives.

Chandranath Rath had been closely associated with Suvendu Adhikari, assisting him in various political coordination and organizational tasks since 2018. Following Adhikari’s ascension to the position of Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal, Rath’s role as his executive assistant became even more vital. The BJP has expressed deep concern over the incident, which they describe as part of a broader trend of targeted violence against their party members in the state.

This tragic incident adds to the growing number of violent occurrences in West Bengal’s political landscape, where tensions have escalated significantly after the recent elections. The BJP and other political parties have raised alarms about safety and security in the region, calling for urgent measures to protect their members and safeguard democratic processes. As investigations continue, the state remains on high alert, bracing for potential further unrest amidst the charged political climate.

Source: scroll.in