• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

Chandranath Rath Murder Case: The grieving family of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari's PA, Chandranath Rath, who was murdered on Wednesday night in North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, demanded a life term for the culprits. The sensational post-poll violence stunned the state polity, merely 48 hours after the Assembly poll results, which ended the 15-year-long dominance of Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress.

What Chandranath's Mother Said

Chandranath Rath's mother demanded a life term for the culprits and claimed the killing was a result of Mamata's defeat against Suvendu Adhikari in the Bhabanipur constituency.

ALSO READ: Not The First Close Aide: Long Before Chandranath Rath, Suvendu Adhikari's PA Pradip Jha Was Found Dead In Kolkata

Pointed to statements made by TMC leaders during the poll campaign to claim that while Adhikari was appealing for peaceful voting, the TMC was publicly declaring that after the May 4 results, "no leader from Delhi would be able to save BJP workers".

ALSO READ: Who Was Chandranath Rath? Ex-IAF Officer Turned Suvendu's Strategist In Bhabanipur, Shot Dead Near Kolkata

"They proved it right," she alleged, adding that her son was given special responsibility for the Nandigram and Bhabanipur elections.

"I would not have been in so much pain had he died in an accident. He was responsible for the Nandigram and Bhabanipur elections, and that is why he was targeted," Rath's mother said.

My Son Was Busy For Oath-Taking Ceremony Preparations

"As a mother, I cannot seek death for anyone. But I will demand life imprisonment for the culprits," she said. The grieving mother claimed the killing was a "revenge for Mamata Banerjee's defeat in Bhabanipur".

"I am a mother who lost her son, I want those behind this to be punished. However, I am also a mother. So, I don't want the criminals to be hanged but given life imprisonment. I will ask for justice for him when the new party comes to power. He came here yesterday, and I cooked food for him. I asked him to come home. He said he was busy because of the oath-taking ceremony... There is definitely a political motive behind this. Suvendu Adhikari loved him like his younger brother, and he loved Suvendu Adhikari like an elder brother. I think TMC targeted him for his involvement in trying to make Suvendu Adhikari win in Bhabanipur."

Rath's younger brother Dev Kumar said whoever has hatched this conspiracy should be given the harshest punishments. We had spoken to him (Rath) around 2 PM yesterday, he added.

"Yesterday, he was sitting with us and spoke to us. After 2 PM, he left for Kolkata. He had no enmity with anyone," Kumar said.

What Exactly Happened Last Night?

Adhikari's executive assistant was shot dead by bike-borne assailants who intercepted Rath's vehicle near Doltala in Madhyamgram around 10.30 pm, forced it to stop and opened fire at point-blank range before fleeing.

(With Agencies inputs)


Also In News