Political tensions in West Bengal have intensified following the recent state election results, after a close aide to a senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader was shot dead in violence linked to post-poll unrest.
Chandranath Rath, the personal assistant to BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, was killed on Wednesday night while returning home. Police have launched an investigation into the incident but no arrests have been made so far. Authorities said they recovered a vehicle believed to have been used in the crime, along with live rounds and spent cartridges.
Rath’s death is among several violent incidents reported in the state since election results were announced earlier this week. Police confirmed that more than 400 people have already been arrested in connection with post-election violence, vandalism, and intimidation across different districts.
The BJP secured a historic victory in West Bengal, winning 207 out of 294 seats and ending the 15-year rule of Mamata Banerjee’s All India Trinamool Congress (TMC). The results marked the first time the BJP gained power in the state, making the political atmosphere highly charged.
Suvendu Adhikari, considered the leading candidate for chief minister, described Rath’s killing as a “cold-blooded murder.” Meanwhile, the TMC strongly condemned the incident and demanded a court-monitored investigation, stating that violence has no place in democracy.
Clashes between rival political workers are not uncommon in West Bengal after elections. Reports of arson, vandalism, and attacks have emerged from areas including Kolkata, Murshidabad, Birbhum, and Howrah. Both BJP and TMC have accused each other of targeting party workers and offices.
The elections were already controversial due to allegations surrounding voter roll revisions, with TMC claiming that many non-BJP voters were removed from the lists. However, the BJP and the Election Commission denied these allegations.
As the state prepares for the swearing-in ceremony of the new government, security forces remain on high alert. The recent violence has once again highlighted the deep political divisions and tense atmosphere that continue to shape West Bengal’s political landscape.
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