The outgoing Leader of Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, on Thursday alleged that the murder of his close aide Chandranath Rath was politically motivated and claimed that he was targeted solely for being associated with the BJP leader.
Speaking at the Barasat Medical College and Hospital premises, where Rath’s body was kept after post-mortem, Adhikari described the killing as a “personal loss” and demanded exemplary punishment for all those involved in the crime. “A young, educated and innocent man has been murdered only because he was an aide to BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari and because Suvendu Adhikari defeated Mamata Banerjee in Bhawanipore,” Adhikari told reporters. He further claimed that Rath had no criminal background and was not directly involved in active politics.
“Chandranath had no history of crime. He was not directly associated with politics either. He has been killed only because he worked as my aide,” Adhikari alleged. The BJP leader urged the investigating agencies to identify and arrest all those involved in the murder and ensure strict legal punishment. “He was killed after cold-blooded planning and reconnaissance. I appeal to the investigators to trace every person involved in this conspiracy and ensure they are punished through legal means,” he said.
Adhikari was accompanied at the hospital by BJP MPs Khagen Murmu and Jyotirmoy Singh Mahato. Referring to the investigation, Adhikari said he had spoken to the Director General of Police (DGP) of West Bengal, who informed him that the motorcycle allegedly used in the crime was recovered around four kilometres away from the shooting spot. He also said he would visit Rath’s residence at Chandipur in East Midnapore district to meet the bereaved family members. “It is my duty to stand beside Chandranath’s wife and daughter during this difficult time,” Adhikari said, adding that BJP MPs and MLAs from East Midnapore were already present at the family’s residence.
Rath was shot dead on Wednesday night at Doharia in Madhyamgram in North 24-Parganas district. According to police sources, unidentified assailants opened fire on the vehicle in which Rath was travelling. The driver of the vehicle also sustained bullet injuries in the attack.
Meanwhile, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to probe the murder.