Chandranath Rath, personal assistant to Adhikari, was killed after unidentified motorcycle-borne attackers opened fire on his vehicle in North 24 Parganas, while his driver was also injured and remains in critical condition after being shifted to a hospital in Kolkata
In a major incident reported within 48 hours of the West Bengal Assembly election results, Chandranath Rath, personal assistant to BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, was shot dead by unidentified assailants on Wednesday night on the northern outskirts of Kolkata, triggering political reactions and tension in the area.
According to a PTI report, citing sources, the incident took place in Doharia in the Doltala area of Madhyamgram in North 24 Parganas, where Rath was allegedly shot at point-blank range by motorcycle-borne attackers.
#WATCH | North 24 Parganas, West Bengal | Visuals of the car in which BJP Leader Suvendu Adhikari’s PA Chandra was shot dead near Madhyagram https://t.co/0kAKzKZ5yW pic.twitter.com/kxVqCiky05
— ANI (@ANI) May 6, 2026
According to preliminary information, the attackers allegedly followed Rath’s vehicle, intercepted it, and opened fire through the closed window from the opposite side before fleeing the spot. Rath was seated in the front passenger seat.
His driver also suffered bullet injuries and was shifted to a hospital in Kolkata, where his condition was reported to be critical.
Local news channels reported that Rath sustained grievous injuries in the firing and was taken to a nearby private hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.
“The victim was brought dead with multiple bullet injuries on his chest, which pierced his heart, and another bullet on his abdominal area. There was no opportunity to resuscitate him,” PTI quoted a doctor as saying.
Rath, according to party sources, played a crucial role in Adhikari’s campaigns in the Bhabanipur constituency where the BJP leader triumphed over former chief minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee.
Adhikari, who has earned the name “giant killer” after he defeated Banerjee by over 15,000 votes, is one of the frontrunners for chief minister.
In a statement to a vernacular news channel, BJP leader and MLA-elect Kaustav Bagchi, who was present at the hospital said, “This was a targeted attack. The assailants followed Rath’s car for a long time before pumping him with bullets. This is the handiwork of Mamata and Abhishek Banerjee. We will not rest until the criminals are identified. We will not cremate the body till then.”
According to sources, Adhikari was on the way to the hospital.
“We have been preaching peace, but TMC has made the biggest blunder,” newly elected BJP MLA Tarunjyoti Tewari said.
News of the incident spread quickly, prompting the deployment of a large police contingent in the area amid rising tension.
Senior police officers reached the spot and launched an investigation.
Efforts were underway to identify the assailants and ascertain the motive behind the attack, sources said.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the state’s political circles.
With inputs from agencies
First Published:
May 07, 2026, 00:51 IST
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