BJP Leader Suvendu Adhikari’s PA Shot Dead in Bengal’s Madhyamgram

Mangalore Today News Network

Kolkata, May 7, 2026: Chandranath Rath, the personal assistant of senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, was shot dead in Madhyamgram in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district, two days after the BJP’s historic victory in the Assembly elections.

According to reports, Rath was travelling in a moving car when unidentified assailants followed the vehicle and opened fire after it slowed down. Four rounds were fired, of which three bullets hit Rath. Visuals from the scene showed the left front window of the car shattered with bullet marks.

Rath had been closely associated with Adhikari for several years and was considered part of the BJP leader’s inner circle, handling political coordination and other key responsibilities.

The driver of the vehicle, identified as Buddhadeb, sustained injuries in the attack and was admitted to a hospital. Adhikari was not travelling in the car at the time of the incident, sources said.

Adhikari rushed to the hospital in Madhyamgram after the incident. Describing the killing as a “cold-blooded murder”, he alleged that the attackers had conducted reconnaissance before carrying out the shooting.

“The incident is heart-wrenching; we condemn the incident. The way the attack was executed clearly suggests that the assailants had done a recce beforehand,” Adhikari told reporters outside the hospital.

His brother, Dibyendu Adhikari, demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the killing and alleged the involvement of workers linked to the ruling All India Trinamool Congress.

BJP leaders also accused the Trinamool Congress of fostering a culture of political violence in the state. BJP leader Nikhil Prasun termed the murder “brutal” and claimed there was a “deeper conspiracy” behind the incident.

Another BJP leader, Devdas Mondal, alleged that an “innocent man” had been targeted and vowed that the accused would be brought to justice.

The Trinamool Congress, however, condemned the murder and alleged that “BJP-backed miscreants” had been involved in incidents of post-poll violence over the past three days.

The incident took place in Madhyamgram, where Trinamool candidate Rathin Ghosh recently won the Assembly seat by a margin of 2,399 votes amid a strong BJP challenge.

Meanwhile, Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Kumar Nand said that at least 80 people had been arrested or detained in connection with incidents of post-poll violence across the state.

Adhikari, often referred to as a “giant killer” after defeating Mamata Banerjee in the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency by over 15,000 votes, is considered one of the frontrunners for the post of Chief Minister.