Political blame game in Bengal over mysterious death of BJP MLA

The death of BJP leader and MLA Debendra Nath Ray has raised the political temperature in West Bengal with the BJP accusing the Trinamool Congress of "crossing all limits".

West Bengal BJP has decided to take up the matter with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP president J.P. Nadda. "I am sending a note to both the home minister and our party president," West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh told THE WEEK.

BJP is making all preparations to go to court demanding a CBI inquiry into Ray’s death.

Ghosh further said: "I will see it till the end. No impartial investigation can be carried out by this government which uses its machinery to finish BJP leaders. Now they have dared to touch an MLA even."

Police said that Ray's body, with hands tied up, was found outside his home in Uttar Dinajpur district. "We are probing it. All angles are being looked into," said a senior police officer of the state police department. He indicated that even a suicide is not being ruled out.

Ghosh, however, said the suicide angle is ridiculous. “Have you ever heard of a suicide where the person's hands are tied up?" said Ghosh.

West Bengal governor Jagdeep Dhankhar swung into action after the mysterious death of the leader. "Political violence and vendetta show no signs of abating. Death of Debendra Nath Ray raises serious issues including allegations of murder," said the governor in a statement hours after the death. "Need for thorough impartial probe to unravel truth and blunt political violence," he added.

Ray joined the BJP last year after the Lok Sabha election along with 50 other members of the CPI(M). BJP leader Mukul Roy initiated the defection which included many councillors of Raigunj municipality.

Ray, however, continued as MLA and did not resign from the assembly. As a result, he did not fall under the anti-defection law.