BJP Leader’s Personal Assistant Killed in Madhyamgram Shooting; Police Hunt Attackers

Madhyamgram, West Bengal : Panic spread across the Madhyamgram area in North 24 Parganas district on Wednesday night after a group of unidentified assailants opened fire indiscriminately near the Madhyamgram Choumatha intersection on National Highway (NH). The attack left two individuals seriously injured, including Chandranath Rath, the Personal Assistant (PA) to BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari.

Tragically, Chandranath Rath succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment at a nearby nursing home. The second victim remains hospitalized. Following the shooting, the perpetrators fled the scene, and police have launched a manhunt to apprehend them.

BJP leadership has strongly condemned the attack, alleging it to be part of a political conspiracy. Several newly elected BJP MLAs visited the hospital to show solidarity, while the local administration urged calm among residents as tensions ran high in Madhyamgram and its environs.

West Bengal Director General of Police Siddh Nath Gupta confirmed that the vehicle used by the attackers was seized. The vehicle bore a forged number plate displaying Siliguri, North Bengal registration, which investigators identified as tampered. The police are actively investigating the incident and conducting raids to capture those responsible.

Chandranath Rath was more than just a PA; he was a former Indian Air Force veteran and a trusted aide of Suvendu Adhikari. His death has sent shockwaves through the state’s political landscape. Opposition Leader Suvendu Adhikari arrived late at night at the scene of the attack, underscoring the gravity of the incident.

A heavy police presence remains deployed in the area to ensure security and prevent further unrest as the investigation continues.