The personal assistant to a prominent leader from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been shot dead in West Bengal, marking a grim escalation in violence following the state’s recent elections.
Chandranath Rath served as the personal assistant to Suvendu Adhikari, who is widely expected to be named the new chief minister after the party secured a landmark victory.
Rath was travelling home on Wednesday night when he was attacked and killed. While police have launched an investigation and recovered a vehicle linked to the crime, no arrests have been made.
Deadly clashes following historic victory
The murder of Rath brings the death toll to at least three people since the election results were announced on Monday.
Prior to this incident, police confirmed the arrest of over 400 individuals in connection with various acts of intimidation and violence across the eastern state.
The BJP achieved a historic milestone on Monday, ending 15 years of governance by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) led by Mamata Banerjee. This victory marks the first time the party has won control of the state.
However, the win has been overshadowed by widespread reports of arson and vandalism. Visuals of unrest have emerged from several districts, including Kolkata, Howrah, Murshidabad, and Birbhum.
Allegations of intimidation and electoral interference
Tensions in the region have been simmering for weeks, largely due to a controversial update to the voter rolls that excluded millions of individuals.
Banerjee has alleged that this exercise targeted non-BJP voters to facilitate her party’s defeat, a claim denied by both the BJP and the Election Commission.
In the wake of the recent violence, the TMC has accused BJP supporters of vandalising party offices and using heavy machinery to demolish shops in Kolkata. The party described these actions as a dangerous precedent for law and order.
In response, BJP leaders including Sukanta Majumdar argued that the state of law and order had deteriorated under the previous administration.
They have assured the public that stability will be restored once the new government is officially sworn in, which is expected to take place this Saturday.
Roots of political violence in West Bengal
The police have recovered live ammunition and fired cartridges from the scene of Rath’s murder. State police chief Siddh Nath Gupta confirmed that the getaway vehicle found by authorities bore an incorrect licence plate.
Political analysts suggest that the recurring violence in West Bengal is linked to a deeply entrenched party society where political affiliation is tied to daily survival. This makes a change in power feel like an existential threat to many in rural areas.
While the number of fatalities in this election cycle is reportedly lower than in previous years, the atmosphere remains thick with fear.
Both the BJP and the TMC have reported the deaths of their workers, with each side demanding accountability as the state prepares for its leadership transition.
