In a politically charged statement following the killing of his close aide Chandranath Rath, West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday alleged that the murder was directly linked to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s defeat in Bhabanipur and Rath’s association with him. Calling it a targeted killing, Adhikari claimed the young man was eliminated solely for his proximity to the BJP leadership.
Speaking at the Barasat Medical College premises, Adhikari described Rath as a “bright, educated youth with no criminal past,” asserting that he had no deep involvement in politics apart from assisting him. “His only fault was that he worked with me, and I defeated Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur,” Adhikari said, suggesting a political motive behind the crime.
Suvendu Links Aide’s Murder to Mamata’s Defeat, Demands Death Penalty
Visibly shaken, the BJP leader termed the incident a “personal loss” and demanded the harshest punishment for those involved. “This was a cold-blooded, premeditated murder. I urge the investigators to identify every individual involved and ensure they are punished through due legal process, even if it means capital punishment,” he stated.
Adhikari also revealed that he had spoken to the Director General of Police, who informed him that the motorcycle used in the crime had been recovered around four kilometres from the crime scene. He further said he would visit Rath’s residence in Chandipur to meet his grieving family, including his wife and young daughter.
The incident took place late Wednesday night in Doharia, Madhyamgram, where unidentified assailants opened fire on Rath’s vehicle. While Rath succumbed to his injuries, his driver, who was also shot, is currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital along Kolkata’s EM Bypass. Rath’s body was shifted to Barasat Medical College for post-mortem shortly after the incident.
In response to the killing, authorities have constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the case. The team reportedly includes officers from the state police as well as the CID, although details regarding its composition have not yet been officially disclosed.
Adhikari was accompanied by BJP MPs Khagen Murmu and Jyotirmoy Singh Mahato during his visit, as the party continues to mount pressure on the administration over the law-and-order situation in the state.
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