kolkata

IIE DIGITAL DESK : Madhyamgram, West Bengal, May 7, 2026: The killing of Chandranath Rath, a close aide of senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, has taken a deeply political turn after his mother, Hasirath, alleged that her son was murdered as an act of political revenge linked to past electoral defeats of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Speaking to the media, she claimed that her son was targeted because of his involvement in election-related responsibilities across several constituencies, including Nandigram, Bhabanipur, and Chandipur. According to her, the alleged attack was not random but a planned act of retaliation, suggesting that the killing was connected to political anger over electoral outcomes involving the ruling Trinamool Congress leadership.

Emotional statement, she alleged that after Mamata Banerjee’s defeat in certain constituencies, political resentment had been building, and her son became a victim of that hostility. However, despite making serious allegations, she also appealed for restraint in punishment, stating that she does not want the accused to face capital punishment. Instead, she demanded life imprisonment, emphasizing that as a mother she could not support the death penalty.

She further claimed that opposition leaders, including Suvendu Adhikari, have consistently called for peace and discipline among party workers, while accusing rival political leaders of issuing provocative statements in the past. Referring to alleged remarks made during the political campaign period, she suggested that threats had been made implying severe consequences after the election results.

Her statements have added a new layer of political controversy to an already sensitive case, with both major political camps trading accusations over responsibility for the killing. The Trinamool Congress has denied any involvement and has called for a fair and impartial investigation, while BJP leaders continue to allege targeted political violence.

The incident occurred on Wednesday night in Madhyamgram, where Chandranath Rath was shot multiple times while travelling in a vehicle. Police sources said two unidentified assailants on a motorcycle intercepted the car and opened fire at close range before fleeing the scene. Rath sustained critical injuries to his chest, abdomen, and head, and was declared dead at a nearby hospital. The driver of the vehicle was also injured and remains under medical care.

The incident, senior political leaders and supporters gathered at the hospital, intensifying the political atmosphere in the region. Police have formed a special investigation team under senior officials to probe the case from multiple angles, including political rivalry, personal enmity, and criminal motives.

The case has become a focal point of West Bengal’s ongoing political tensions, with demands for justice growing louder amid competing narratives from both ruling and opposition parties.