Kolkata: In what could lead to an eruption of major political violence across West Bengal, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari’s personal assistant Chandranath Rath was shot dead by suspected Trinamool Congress goons on Wednesday evening.
The incident happened in Madhyamgram in North 24-Parganas, in the northern suburbs of Kolkata, as reported by Republic TV.
Rath, who has been associated with Adhikari for several years now, was apparently travelling in an SUV, when he was attacked by the assailants. He was sitting in the front passenger seat, next to the driver, when three shots were fired at him through the glass.
According to the police, the shots were fired at point-blank range. He was rushed to a hospital where Rath was declared brought dead. His driver was also targeted, but escaped unhurt.
Adhikari, who has been the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, is a front runner for the chief minister’s post after the BJP swept the Assembly elections in West Bengal, winning a two-third majority.
The election results were declared on Monday, with the BJP winning 208 seats and the Trinamool Congress managing only 80.
Some political violence was reported after the results were declared, resulting in a few deaths. Rath’s killing is likely to escalate the situation, despite efforts by the BJP to restrain its supporters.
