Was Suvendu Adhikari the actual target of a deadly shooting in Madhyamgram? The question arises as the vehicle carrying his personal assistant bore the official logo of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly.

Aide Shot Dead in Madhyamgram Attack

Agartala/Kolkata: Chandranath Rath, the long-time personal assistant to West Bengal’s Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, was shot dead in Madhyamgram on Wednesday night.

Assailants intercepted his vehicle near the Doharia crossing, firing multiple rounds at point-blank range. The incident has triggered massive political tension across North 24 Parganas.

Quick Glance: Key Highlights

  • Victim Profile: Chandranath Rath, an ex-serviceman and core strategist for Suvendu Adhikari.
  • The Ambush: Eight bike-borne assailants trailed Rath’s vehicle before opening fire near Jessore Road.
  • Political Context: Occurs just days after Adhikari’s high-profile victory over Mamata Banerjee in the Bhabanipur 2026 elections.
  • Investigation: West Bengal Police and CID have cordoned off the crime scene; local BJP leadership demands a CBI probe.

Deadly Ambush in Madhyamgram: A Premeditated Strike

The chilling attack occurred late Wednesday night as Chandranath Rath was returning from a party organizational meeting. Rath was traveling in a white Scorpio SUV prominently displaying the official logo of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly.

Witnesses and police sources suggest that four motorcycles, carrying eight masked individuals, trailed the vehicle from the Barasat area.

As the car slowed down near the Doharia crossing in Madhyamgram, the assailants forced it to a halt. They targeted the front windshield and the passenger side where Rath was seated.

Person Role/Connection Status
Chandranath Rath PA to Suvendu Adhikari Deceased
Buddhadeb Bera Adhikari Core Team Member Critically Injured (ICU)
Unnamed Driver Personal Staff Stable / Under Observation

Medical reports from the Diversity Nursing Home indicate that Rath sustained fatal injuries to the head and chest. Doctors pronounced him dead on arrival.

Meanwhile, Buddhadeb Bera, another key associate who managed the Bhabanipur campaign, remains in critical condition at a Kolkata hospital after sustaining a gunshot wound to the shoulder.

High-Stakes Politics: Was Suvendu Adhikari the Target?

The timing and nature of the killing have sparked multiple questions, including who the real target was. As West Bengal is bracing for a political transition and Adhikari is one of the architects of the BJP’s massive victory against the Trinamool Congress, the motive behind the killing of Chandranath Rath may point to some sinister plot.

Local BJP leaders alleged that the attackers likely believed Suvendu Adhikari was inside the vehicle, given its official Assembly markings.

The incident follows the 2026 Assembly election results, in which Suvendu Adhikari secured a historic win in Bhawanipur, defeating Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee by over 15,000 votes.

This murder is a direct result of post-poll vendetta, claimed BJP leaders. They alleged Adhikari’s inner circle was the target.

Police Action and Forensic Evidence

The West Bengal Police, along with the Rapid Action Force (RAF), have turned Madhyamgram into a fortress. Forensic teams arrived at the Doharia crossing early Thursday morning to collect shell casings and blood samples.

“The shooters used 7.65mm pistols and fired at least four rounds,” a senior CID official noted. Authorities are currently scanning feed from over 20 CCTV cameras along Jessore Road to identify the motorcycle license plates.

While the TMC leadership has officially condemned the violence and sought a court-monitored probe, the BJP has called for a district-wide protest.

People Also Ask (FAQ)

Q1: Who was Chandranath Rath? Chandranath Rath was a trusted aide and PA to Suvendu Adhikari, known for managing the leader’s logistics and election strategies in Nandigram and Bhabanipur.

Q2: What is the significance of the vehicle used in the attack? The vehicle bore the official West Bengal Legislative Assembly sticker, leading to theories that the attackers intended to target the Leader of the Opposition himself.

Q3: What are the authorities doing about the Madhyamgram shooting? The police have launched a massive manhunt and are reviewing CCTV footage. The state government has assured a thorough investigation into the conspiracy.