Chandranath Rath and Suvendu Adhikari (Image/Agencies)

New Delhi: BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday described the murder of his close aide Chandranath Rath as ‘heart-wrenching’ and alleged that it was a ‘premeditated murder’ carried out after several days of surveillance. This happened as police continued to investigate the murder in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district.Speaking to reporters after the incident, the officer said, “The murder of my colleague Chandranath Rath is heartbreaking; we condemn it. We appeal to everyone not to take the law into their own hands.”The officer also said that he was informed by senior police officers. “The DGP assured me that the police will investigate the brutal murder of my colleague Chandranath Rath. Apart from my colleague, one of our cadres was shot in Basirhat and another was stabbed in Baranagar.”He further alleged that the attack was carefully planned. According to him, both Home Minister Amit Shah and party president Nitin Nabin have been informed about the incident. “This is a pre-planned murder, and this is what the DGP has said. Recce was conducted for 2-3 days and the murder was completely planned. The police have started investigation… We are saddened and have no words to condemn this incident. Our entire leadership from Delhi has taken information about this. Union Minister Sukant Majumdar spoke to (the deceased’s) family and the police… Various leaders and elected MLAs have come here from their constituencies...Police have found some evidence and will investigate,” he said. Taking aim at TMC, Adhikari said, ‘This is the result of 15 years of Maha-Jungle Raj. BJP will start the work of eliminating goons here.Chandranath Rath, the officer’s executive assistant, was shot dead near Dohariya on Jessore Road in Madhyamgram area late on Wednesday night. Police said he was traveling in a car when assailants riding a motorcycle stopped the vehicle and fired at close range.He was taken to a private nursing home where doctors declared him dead.The incident caused huge political reaction with BJP leaders alleging that it was a ‘planned and targeted attack’.BJP leader Sujay Kumar Dey said, “As per our information, four to five people were riding on the motorcycle when they shot the victim… Moreover, four to five motorcycles were involved in the incident.”Read this also Chandranath Rath, close to Suvendu Adhikari, was shot dead in Madhyamgram, West Bengal.He said it appeared that the chariot was specifically targeted: “Suvendu Adhikari’s personal assistant and driver were both present in the car; however, only his personal assistant was targeted and killed.”Another BJP leader Keya Ghosh alleged political motives, saying, “He was targeted out of anger and frustration.”

TMC demands CBI investigation, calls violence ‘unacceptable’

Trinamool Congress (TMC) has condemned the killing of Chandranath Rath in Madhyamgram and alleged that several violent incidents happened to its workers after the recent elections.In an official statement posted on Twitter, the party said: “We strongly condemn the brutal murder of Chandranath Rath in Madhyamgram tonight, as well as the killing of three other TMC workers in incidents of post-poll violence allegedly by BJP-backed miscreants in the last three days despite the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct.”Calling for strict action, the party demanded an investigation into the incident. The statement further said, “We demand the strongest action including a court-monitored CBI investigation in this matter so that those responsible are identified and brought to justice without any delay. Violence and political killings have no place in a democracy and the culprits must be held accountable as soon as possible.”

Police recovered evidence, investigation continues

West Bengal DGP Siddha Nath Gupta said that the police have started a full investigation and have recovered evidence from the spot. “We have started investigating the case. We have seized the 4-wheeler used in the crime… We have recovered live cartridges and spent cartridges from the spot.”Officials said it appeared that the number plate of the vehicle had been tampered with and the CCTV footage was being examined. No arrests have been made yet.

Who was Chandranath Rath? Former Air Force officer becomes chief aide of officer

Chandranath Rath, a close associate of Suvendu Adhikari, was a resident of Chandipur in East Medinipur district of West Bengal. Before entering politics, he served for nearly two decades in the Indian Air Force, where he pursued a career in disciplined administrative and operational roles.After taking voluntary retirement from the armed forces, Rath worked in the corporate sector for some time before gradually shifting to political and organizational responsibilities in Bengal politics.Over time, he became a trusted aide of Suvendu Adhikari and became closely involved in the day-to-day coordination of the office of the leader of the opposition.Party sources said Rath was part of Adhikari’s core team and handled key backroom responsibilities including organizational planning, communication with local party workers and campaign logistics during key election battles in the state.He played an active role in high-level political campaigns, including constituency-level strategies, during crucial elections in West Bengal and was regarded as a reliable and discreet coordinator in party circles.