Chandranath Rath, a close aide of senior Bengal BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, was shot dead in Madhyamgram, where he was allegedly targeted on a public road by an assailant, reports PTI. Assailants riding a motorcycle intercepted his vehicle and opened fire at close range before fleeing the scene. According to BJP leaders, several bullets hit Chandranath Rath's chest and he lost excessive blood, reports PTI.
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The 41-year-old was from Chandipur in Purba Medinipur district. Purba Medinipur district is the political turf that shaped Suvendu Adhikari’s rise in Bengal politics, sources said.
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Chandranath Rath's mother Hasi Rath, had served in a local panchayat body in Purba Medinipur during the party’s rule before shifting to the BJP along with Adhikari in 2020. Family associates said the bond between the Rath family and Adhikari dated back more than two decades to the early phase of the TMC’s rise in Purba Medinipur.
He officially joined Adhikari’s team around 2019, when the BJP leader was still a minister in the Mamata Banerjee government. He initially looked after responsibilities related to Adhikari’s ministerial office and later continued in a similar capacity after Adhikari joined the BJP.
He was also part of the core team during several high-profile political contests, including the BJP’s Bhabanipur campaign. Within BJP circles, there had been speculation that Rath could be given a larger administrative role if Adhikari secured a bigger position in government after the Assembly elections.
But these discussions came to an end on Wednesday night when bike-borne assailants allegedly stopped his vehicle near Madhyamgram’s Doharia area and fired at him from close range. His death has sparked sharp political reactions across Bengal and further heightened tensions in the aftermath of the Assembly election results.
(With PTI inputs)
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Who is Chandranath Rath?
Chandranath Rath was Suvendu Adhikari's executive assistant. From serving in the Indian Air Force to becoming one of the opposition leader’s most trusted political associates, Rath travelled an unusual path, according to news agency PTI.The 41-year-old was from Chandipur in Purba Medinipur district. Purba Medinipur district is the political turf that shaped Suvendu Adhikari’s rise in Bengal politics, sources said.
ALSO READ: Suvendu Adhikari PA shot dead: How Chandranath Rath was killed, here is event by event breakdown
Trusted member of Adhikari circle
Chandranath Rath, a soft-spoken person, kept a low profile and stayed away from the public glare despite being a trusted member of Suvendu Adhikari’s inner circle for several years. He served in the IAF for nearly two decades after studying at Rahara Ramakrishna Mission. Following this, he stepped into active political and organisational work and was deeply influenced by the ideals of the Ramakrishna Mission during his student days. He once even thought of pursuing a spiritual path.Joined Suvendu Adhikari's team in 2019
Chandranath Rath took a voluntary retirement from the air force, spent brief period in the corporate sector before gradually taking up political coordination and administrative responsibilities. Similar to Suvendu Adhikari's family, his family members were once associated with the Trinamool Congress.Chandranath Rath's mother Hasi Rath, had served in a local panchayat body in Purba Medinipur during the party’s rule before shifting to the BJP along with Adhikari in 2020. Family associates said the bond between the Rath family and Adhikari dated back more than two decades to the early phase of the TMC’s rise in Purba Medinipur.
He officially joined Adhikari’s team around 2019, when the BJP leader was still a minister in the Mamata Banerjee government. He initially looked after responsibilities related to Adhikari’s ministerial office and later continued in a similar capacity after Adhikari joined the BJP.
Was Chandranath Rath to get bigger role?
As the time passed by, he became an important behind-the-scenes figure in Adhikari’s political network, overseeing organisational coordination, logistics and communication with party workers. BJP leaders described him as someone who enjoyed Adhikari’s complete trust and frequently handled sensitive campaign and political coordination assignments.He was also part of the core team during several high-profile political contests, including the BJP’s Bhabanipur campaign. Within BJP circles, there had been speculation that Rath could be given a larger administrative role if Adhikari secured a bigger position in government after the Assembly elections.
But these discussions came to an end on Wednesday night when bike-borne assailants allegedly stopped his vehicle near Madhyamgram’s Doharia area and fired at him from close range. His death has sparked sharp political reactions across Bengal and further heightened tensions in the aftermath of the Assembly election results.
(With PTI inputs)
