Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday alleged that the killing of his close aide Chandranath Rath was politically motivated, claiming the attack happened solely because Rath worked closely with him and because of his electoral victory over Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur.

Reacting to the murder, Adhikari said Chandranath Rath was targeted because he served as his executive assistant and was associated with him politically. He also asserted that he would fulfil every responsibility toward Rath’s family following the killing.

Rath was shot dead on Wednesday night in North 24 Parganas district after unidentified attackers reportedly intercepted the vehicle in which he was travelling. According to reports, the assailants arrived in another vehicle, forced Rath’s car to slow down and then opened fire from close range before fleeing the scene.

The attack has intensified political tensions in West Bengal just days after the Assembly election results and amid ongoing reports of post-poll violence in several areas.

Meanwhile, Rath’s mother, Hasirani Rath, demanded strict punishment for those involved in her son’s killing but said she did not want capital punishment for the accused.

Speaking to reporters, she said she wanted the attackers to receive life imprisonment instead of being hanged.

The grieving mother also alleged that the murder was linked to the BJP’s rise to power in the state after the recent elections.

The incident has sparked sharp political reactions across West Bengal, with BJP leaders repeatedly accusing political rivals of fostering a climate of violence after the polls.

Police have launched an investigation into the shooting and are examining CCTV footage, witness statements and forensic evidence to identify the attackers and establish the motive behind the killing.