Suvendu Adhikari’s Personal Assistant shotdead in Madhyamgram, political tensions rise in Bengal

May 07, 2026: The personal assistant of Suvendu Adhikari, Chandranath Rath, was shot dead in a brutal attack in the Doharia area of Madhyamgram in North 24 Parganas on Wednesday night. Rath, who had been living in Madhyamgram for several years despite originally hailing from Chandipur in Midnapore, was returning home after attending Assembly-related work earlier in the evening. At around 6:30 pm, while he was travelling in a car, two bike-borne assailants intercepted the vehicle. The attackers, whose motorcycle reportedly had no number plate, blocked the car on a public road and opened fire indiscriminately at close range. Rath was shot multiple times—in the chest, stomach, and head—while the driver of the vehicle was also injured in the firing.

Eyewitnesses and initial reports suggest that at least three rounds were fired during the attack. One of the assailants allegedly approached the car window and fired at point-blank range, pressing the gun against the glass before pulling the trigger. Rath sustained critical injuries, with bullets piercing vital organs. He was immediately rushed to Viva City Hospital in Madhyamgram, but doctors declared him dead on arrival. According to hospital director Pratim Sengupta, two bullets had struck Rath in the chest and passed through the heart, leaving no chance of survival before he could receive treatment. The injured driver was later shifted to a private hospital in Kolkata, where he remains under medical care in critical condition.

Suvendu Adhikari's aide shot dead: Visuals of car in which Chandranath Rath was attacked by assailants. pic.twitter.com/32HJRp8nyg

— News Arena India (@NewsArenaIndia) May 6, 2026

Political tensions escalate as leaders allege conspiracy

The incident has created panic in the locality and raised serious concerns over the law and order situation in the region. A large police contingent reached the spot soon after the firing and began an investigation. Senior officers are closely monitoring the case, and efforts are underway to identify and track down the attackers. However, no arrests had been made at the time of filing this report, and the exact motive behind the killing remains unclear.

More shocking information: Driver along with Suvendu Adhikari’s PA, Chandranath Rath, has also sustained three bullet injuries and has been shifted to a private hospital Kolkata in critical condition.
Chandranath Rath was hit by three bullets. At least 10–12 rounds being fired.… https://t.co/YhKLZAWn3L pic.twitter.com/48ZMLCJomj

— Piyali Mitra (@Plchakraborty) May 6, 2026

The killing has triggered strong political reactions across the state. BJP leaders alleged that the attack was part of a larger conspiracy targeting Suvendu Adhikari. Rajya Sabha MP Rahul Sinha claimed there was a planned attempt behind the incident and demanded strict action against those responsible. BJP leader Kausthav Bagchi, who recently won from Barrackpore, made serious allegations, stating that those behind the attack must be arrested before the last rites of the deceased are performed. Newly elected BJP MLA Tarunjyoti Tewari also criticised the situation, accusing the ruling party of worsening the law and order environment despite calls for peace.

The incident comes amid heightened political tensions in West Bengal, with repeated allegations of post-poll violence. Earlier, BJP leaders had raised concerns citing incidents from 2021 and 2023, and this latest attack has further intensified those claims. In a separate incident reported a day earlier, a BJP worker was allegedly killed in the Rajarhat-Newtown assembly constituency, with accusations directed at Trinamool Congress supporters. These back-to-back incidents have added to fears of continued political violence in the state, even as investigations continue and more details are awaited.