“My PA was killed because I defeated Mamata in Bhabanipur”: Suvendu Adhikari alleges 'planned conspiracy'

Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday alleged that the murder of his personal assistant Chandranath Rath was the result of a “well-planned conspiracy” linked to his electoral victory over Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency. Speaking to journalists while Rath’s body was being taken from the hospital to his residence in Madhyamgram, Adhikari said Rath was targeted because of his association with him. He stated that no amount of condemnation would be enough for the manner in which the murder was carried out.

Adhikari said the victim had no criminal background or personal enmity and described the killing as a targeted assassination. He alleged that surveillance had been conducted on Rath for several days before the attack and claimed that the assailants followed him before opening fire from close range. According to Adhikari, the incident was not an ordinary criminal act but a planned operation executed with precision.

Referring to the post-mortem findings, the BJP leader said multiple bullets were fired at Rath from close range to ensure immediate death. He stated that the medical report showed four bullets had struck the victim, while also alleging that the attack had been carried out by professional killers. Adhikari said the deceased’s only identity was that he worked as his personal assistant and claimed that this association was the reason he was targeted.

Demanding immediate action, Adhikari said Rath’s family wanted the accused to be arrested and punished. He stated that he stood with the victim’s family and reiterated that those responsible for the killing must face strict legal consequences. He also described Rath as a former serviceman of the Indian Air Force and said the murder had been executed with detailed planning and coordination.

Adhikari further alleged that Rath might not have been killed had he not been associated with him or had he not defeated Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur. He claimed the attack was designed to ensure Rath’s death and repeated that the incident reflected a deliberate and premeditated conspiracy. The BJP leader continued to demand a detailed investigation into the murder and the identification of all those involved in the attack.