Suvendu Adhikari PA Chandranath Murder: Kolkata: A brutal murder has cast a dark shadow over the Bharatiya Janata Party’s recent electoral celebrations in West Bengal. In a targeted attack on Wednesday night, Chandranath Rath, the personal secretary and a deeply trusted confidant of senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in the Midnapore region.
According to initial reports from police sources, the incident occurred when Rath was travelling in his vehicle. The attackers, arriving in a car, forced Rath’s vehicle to a halt. The moment the car slowed down, the assailants fired multiple rounds at point-blank range. The attack was so severe that Chandranath Rath succumbed to his injuries on the spot.
Chandranath Rath was widely regarded as the “shadow” of Suvendu Adhikari, having shared a long and unwavering professional partnership with the leader. Before entering the rough and tumble of state politics, Rath dedicated nearly two decades of his life to serving the nation in the Indian Air Force. His disciplined military background set him apart in the political corridors.
Having served in the Indian Air Force for approximately 18 years, sources confirm that Rath had opted for voluntary retirement before stepping into the political arena. It was during his tenure with the Trinamool Congress that Rath first began working alongside Suvendu Adhikari. Both men hail from the East Midnapore district, forging a bond that translated into deep professional trust.
The professional partnership formally strengthened in 2019 when Adhikari was serving as the Minister for Water Resources in the TMC government, and Rath was appointed as his personal secretary. Even during the massive political shift in 2020, when Adhikari joined the BJP in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Rath did not hesitate to follow suit, resigning from the TMC to remain by his leader’s side.
Following the 2021 Assembly elections, when Adhikari assumed the role of the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Rath’s responsibilities expanded significantly. He became the crucial link between the BJP’s old guard and the party’s new political journey. Known for his strong grassroots connect and managerial prowess, Rath’s role within Adhikari’s core team was considered vital. With Adhikari being touted as a prominent chief ministerial candidate, Rath was expected to shoulder greater administrative responsibilities.
The tragic killing in Midnapore has revived severe concerns regarding the culture of political violence in West Bengal. On the day of the election results, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had explicitly appealed for an end to such political hostilities from the party headquarters. Upon the mortal remains being brought to the hospital, a visibly distraught Suvendu Adhikari, alongside BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar and other senior leaders, paid their last respects. The body was later sent to AIIMS Kalyani for post-mortem procedures.
