The post-poll tension in West Bengal escalated sharply on Wednesday night when Chandranath Rath, a close aide of BJP leader and chief ministerial frontrunner Suvendu Adhikari, was shot dead in North 24 Parganas district. The assailants remain at large, while police have formed multiple teams to investigate the case.
Rath (41), a native of Chandipur in Purba Medinipur, had served nearly two decades in the Indian Air Force before entering West Bengal’s turbulent political arena. He also had a brief stint in the corporate sector.
Known as soft-spoken and low-profile, Rath preferred to stay away from public attention. He completed his education at Rahara Ramakrishna Mission and, during his student days, was deeply influenced by the Mission’s ethos, even contemplating a spiritual path, according to family sources quoted by PTI.
Rath’s political journey began with the Trinamool Congress, where he became a close aide to Adhikari during his tenure as the state’s Water Resources Minister in 2019. When Adhikari switched to the BJP in 2020, Rath followed suit.
Rath’s family had previously been aligned with the Trinamool Congress, with his mother, Hasi Rath, holding a post in a local panchayat in Purba Medinipur. However, following Adhikari’s switch to the BJP, the family also shifted their political allegiance.
Despite his calm demeanor, Rath was known for his sharpness and organisational skills. As Adhikari’s most trusted aide, he managed logistics, coordinated party work, and maintained communication with party workers.
There was speculation that Rath could have been entrusted with a larger administrative role if Adhikari becomes chief minister. BJP insiders described him as someone who enjoyed Adhikari's complete confidence and was often involved in sensitive assignments linked to campaign management and political coordination.
Rath was actively involved in party activities, including a protest staged outside the Bhabanipur counting centre on April 30, when Mamata Banerjee visited the Shakhawat Memorial High School.
His killing has sent shockwaves across West Bengal, intensifying post-election violence as clashes between BJP and TMC workers continue in several districts.