NEW DELHI, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Chandranath Rath, a personal aide of Suvendu Adhikari, a senior leader of India's main ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), was allegedly shot dead by unknown assailants in India's eastern state of West Bengal late Wednesday night, local police has confirmed.
The killing took place in Madhyamgram area, near the state capital city of Kolkata. Local media reports said that the "targeted killing" of Rath was a serious development as far as law and order in West Bengal was concerned.
"The victim was traveling in a car. The assailants were riding a motor-bike, and they forcibly stopped the victim's car before opening fire at the car, killing Rath. A couple of others were also injured. Several rounds of bullets were fired on the victims. Assailants are yet to be identified and arrested," the police said in a statement.
West Bengal held state elections on April 23 and April 29, with the final results announced on May 4. By winning 207 Assembly constituencies, the BJP trounced the state's ruling party, the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC), which could manage to win only 80 constituencies out of the total 294 constituencies.
Ever since the election results were announced, the West Bengal state has been witnessing post-poll violence, including a few killings and arson incidents.
The BJP leaders alleged that the attack on Rath was carried out by AITC supporters.
Meanwhile, in a late-night post on X, AITC strongly condemned the incident and demanded the strongest action against the culprits.
"We strongly condemn the brutal murder of Chandranath Rath in Madhyamgram tonight. We demand the strongest possible action in this matter, including a court-monitored CBI investigation so that those responsible are identified and brought to justice without delay. Violence and political killings have no place in a democracy and the guilty must be held accountable at the earliest," said the AITC's post. ■
