Abhishek Banerjee plotted it, we will answer: Arjun Singh on Suvendu aide's killing

Suvendu Adhikari's personal secretary, Chandranath Rath, was allegedly shot dead late Wednesday night in North 24 Parganas district, in what investigators suspect was a planned and targeted attack.

In Short

• Rath was shot on a public road in Madhyamgram after an ambush
• His driver was also injured and remains critical in Kolkata hospital
• Police seized a tampered vehicle and are scanning multiple CCTV feeds

The political temperature in West Bengal escalated dramatically on Thursday after BJP leader and former MP Arjun Singh accused Trinamool Congress General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee of orchestrating the killing of Chandranath Rath, a close aide and personal secretary to senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari.

Rath was allegedly shot dead late Wednesday night in Madhyamgram in North 24 Parganas district, in what investigators suspect was a planned and targeted attack.

The murder has further intensified the already volatile post-election atmosphere in the state, where sporadic violence and political clashes have continued since the BJP’s sweeping electoral victory ended the TMC’s 15-year rule.

Launching a sharp attack on Banerjee, Arjun Singh alleged direct political involvement behind the killing.

“Abhishek Banerjee has orchestrated this murder. They want to send a message that even though they are not in power, they are still a force to be reckoned with over you, news agency ANI quoted Arjun Singh as saying.

“They are fools; they will get their answer,” he warned.

"If this is post-poll violence or done by Abhishek Banerjee is a matter of investigation. This is a planned murder where a sharpshooter did the job. Abhishek Banerjee has some police officials who do this only. This is Abhishek Banerjee's doing," Arjun Singh reiterated his claims on Thursday.

No reactions with regard to the above allegations have come in from either the TMC or Abhishek Banerjee.

The BJP has described Rath’s killing as a politically motivated assassination intended to intimidate opposition leaders and workers.

Rath had been associated with Suvendu Adhikari for several years and was considered one of his most trusted aides.

He was actively involved in organisational and political work for the BJP across Bengal.

According to preliminary police findings, Rath was travelling through the Doharia area of Madhyamgram when his vehicle was allegedly intercepted.

Investigators believe the attackers had been tailing his car using both a four-wheeler and a motorcycle. The car reportedly overtook Rath’s vehicle and forced it to slow down before motorcycle-borne assailants opened fire from close range.

Police sources said at least four rounds were fired, with three bullets hitting Rath in the chest, abdomen and head.

He was rushed to a private hospital but succumbed to his injuries. His driver, who was also injured in the firing, remains under treatment at Kolkata’s SSKM Hospital and is said to be in critical condition.

Investigators recovered empty cartridges and live rounds from the crime scene.

The BJP has intensified its attack on the ruling party following the incident.

Several leaders claimed Rath was specifically targeted because of his close association with Suvendu Adhikari.

BJP leader Keya Ghosh said the murder was “not a random act” and alleged that political rivalry was behind the attack.

The TMC, however, denied all allegations and condemned the killing. The party demanded a court-monitored investigation and said political violence had no place in a democracy.

TMC leaders also pointed to recent incidents in which their own workers were attacked in the post-poll clashes.

The killing has now pushed Bengal’s post-election unrest into a far more dangerous phase, with tensions between the BJP and TMC continuing to escalate across several districts.

- Ends
With agency inputs