Chandranath Murder Case: Suvendu Adhikari Points to Political Motive

The political atmosphere in West Bengal has intensified following the killing of Chandranath Rath, the personal assistant (PA) of BJP leader and Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari. The incident, which took place in the Madhyamgram area, has triggered strong political reactions and accusations of political motive behind the crime. According to police reports, Chandranath Rath was shot dead near his residence late Wednesday night. Investigators believe that the attackers, who arrived on a motorcycle and possibly a car, followed his vehicle, intercepted it close to his home, and opened fire multiple times before fleeing the scene. The attack reportedly occurred just about 100 meters from his residence. His driver, Buddhadeb Bera, was also critically injured in the incident after sustaining bullet wounds and remains in serious condition after undergoing multiple surgeries. The case gained major political attention after Suvendu Adhikari addressed the media following the postmortem examination conducted at Barasat State General Hospital. He alleged that the killing may not be a simple criminal act but rather a politically motivated attack. Linking the incident to broader political tensions in the state, he suggested that individuals close to him were being targeted due to political rivalry. In his remarks, Adhikari indirectly referred to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, claiming that political vendetta could be a possible motive behind the murder. He argued that his association with political victories against Banerjee, including contests in Nandigram and Bhabanipur, might have led to retaliatory actions against his close aides. He emphasized that Chandranath Rath had no personal enmity or known disputes, suggesting the attack was pre-planned and targeted. Postmortem findings reportedly confirmed that Rath was struck by four bullets, further strengthening suspicions of a planned assault. Adhikari has demanded swift action against the perpetrators and assured full support to the victim’s family. Authorities have already recovered a motorcycle believed to have been used in the crime, found about four kilometers from the incident site. Several suspects have been detained as investigations continue. Multiple agencies, including the CID, SIT, and forensic teams, are jointly probing the case. While police officials maintain that the investigation is progressing, political leaders continue to raise concerns over law and order in the state, making the case a significant flashpoint in West Bengal’s ongoing political tensions.