In a shocking incident that has sent political shockwaves across West Bengal, Chandranath Rath, the personal assistant and close aide of senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, was shot dead late Wednesday night in Madhyamgram of North 24 Parganas district.

The brutal killing comes just days after the BJP registered a massive victory in the Assembly elections, securing 207 out of 294 seats across the state. Rath had reportedly played a crucial role in managing Adhikari’s high-profile election campaigns in both Nandigram and Bhabanipur — constituencies where Adhikari emerged victorious, including a landmark win against Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee in one of the contests.

According to BJP leader Koustav Bagchi, Rath was travelling in a white Scorpio SUV when unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants allegedly began following the vehicle. The attackers intercepted the SUV near Doharia in Madhyamgram before opening indiscriminate fire at close range.

Rath, who was seated beside the driver, sustained multiple bullet injuries and died on the spot. The driver of the SUV was also injured in the attack and was first rushed to a local hospital in Madhyamgram before being shifted to a Kolkata-based medical facility for advanced treatment.

Police sources revealed that the attackers fired from both sides of the vehicle, suggesting meticulous planning and professional execution. Doctors who examined the victim informed investigators that Rath suffered bullet wounds to the right abdomen and left chest, with the bullets piercing vital organs, including the heart.

A senior police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that the murder appeared to be a “targeted assassination” carried out with precision.

“The attackers seemed highly trained. Chandranath Rath was clearly the primary target. Most bullets struck his vital organs, while very few impacted the vehicle itself,” the officer said.

Investigators further noted that the accuracy of the firing indicated prior surveillance and planning. The assailants reportedly ensured that the shots were concentrated on Rath while avoiding unnecessary damage to the SUV.

An eyewitness present near the scene described the attack as “pre-planned” and executed at “point-blank range.”

Speaking to media personnel, the witness recounted that Rath’s SUV had just crossed another vehicle when it suddenly came to a halt on the roadside. Moments later, a biker approached from the left side and opened fire repeatedly before fleeing the spot.

The sudden and coordinated nature of the assault triggered panic among local residents, many of whom rushed out after hearing multiple gunshots.

The murder has intensified political tensions in West Bengal, with BJP leaders demanding an immediate high-level investigation into the killing. Party workers have alleged that the attack reflects the deteriorating law-and-order situation in the state following the Assembly elections.