Chandranath Rath murder in Madhyamgram; Suvendu Adhikari talks to Amit Shah as BJP blames TMC

Senior police officers appealed to the public to maintain peace. Officials said strict vigil is in place in sensitive pockets, and additional forces have been deployed.

Home minister Amit Shah is scheduled to visit Bengal tomorrow ahead of the oath-taking ceremony of the new Bengal Chief Minister on May 9.

BJP leaders blamed the Trinamool Congress, accusing it of 15-year rule described as ‘maha jungle raj’ and vowing to start a cleansing action against such goons. In response, the TMC condemned the killing and mentioned the killing of three other TMC workers in post-poll violence over the last three days, calling for a court-monitored CBI investigation and the strongest possible action.

Chandranath Rath was killed when motorcycle-borne assailants tailed his white Scorpio SUV before intercepting it near Doharia in Madhyamgram and opening fire while he was inside. Rath was hit in the right abdomen and left chest, with bullets said to have pierced the heart. The driver, Buddhadeb Bera, was injured and taken to hospital; another occupant in the SUV escaped unhurt. The car carried a ‘West Bengal Legislative Assembly On Duty’ symbol and visuals showed bullet holes and a broken windshield. Police described the attack as precisely aimed, with attackers firing from both sides of the vehicle. Central forces were deployed outside the private hospital where Rath was taken.

Officials said more than 1,500 people have been arrested across the state since Monday evening in connection with incidents linked to post-poll unrest.