West Bengal: Suvendu Adhikari aide Chandranath Rath shot dead in post-poll violence
- Chandranath Rath, an aide of BJP's Suvendu Adhikari, was killed in post-poll violence in West Bengal.
- The incident occurred in Purba Medinipur district, a region that witnessed intense campaigning during the recent assembly elections.
- Political parties have traded accusations, with the BJP blaming the ruling Trinamool Congress for the murder.
- Police have launched an investigation, but no arrests have been made so far.
BJP worker gunned down in Purba Medinipur
Chandranath Rath, a close associate of senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suvendu Adhikari, was shot dead in West Bengal's Purba Medinipur district on Thursday. The killing is the latest in a series of post-poll violent incidents that have rocked the state since the assembly election results were declared last week.
Rath was attacked by unidentified assailants near his home in the Contai area in the morning. He was rushed to a local hospital but died of his injuries. Police have cordoned off the area and launched a manhunt for the attackers.
Political fallout and accusations
The BJP has blamed the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) for the murder, alleging that the attack was politically motivated. Party workers staged protests in several parts of the district, demanding immediate action against the perpetrators.
Suvendu Adhikari, who contested the recent election from Nandigram against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, condemned the killing. He accused the state government of failing to maintain law and order. The TMC has denied any involvement and called for a fair investigation.
Post-poll violence in West Bengal
West Bengal has witnessed a spate of violent incidents after the assembly elections, with multiple reports of attacks on supporters of both major parties. The Election Commission has directed the state administration to ensure the safety of all citizens and prevent further bloodshed.
Officials have not yet confirmed the total number of deaths in post-poll violence, but local media reports suggest at least half a dozen people have been killed in clashes since the results were announced. The central government has deployed additional paramilitary forces in sensitive districts.
What happens next
The focus now shifts to the police investigation. The opposition has demanded a court-monitored probe into the killing. The state government is expected to submit a detailed report to the Election Commission in the coming days.