Suvendu Adhikari has sparked a massive political controversy by claiming that the murder of his personal aide, Chandranath Rath, was a targeted act of revenge following Mamata Banerjee's electoral defeat in the Bhawanipore constituency during the 2026 Assembly elections. Rath, a former Indian Air Force personnel, was shot multiple times at point-blank range in North 24 Parganas, Madhyamgram on Wednesday night by assailants who allegedly intercepted his vehicle using a car with fake number plates.
Describing the loss as a deeply "personal" blow, Adhikari alleged that Rath was victimized solely due to his close professional association with the BJP leadership and his role in the successful Bhawanipore campaign, prompting the senior leader to demand the immediate arrest and capital punishment of the perpetrators through a fast-track legal process.
