BJP says killing of Suvendu Adhikari’s close aide shows law and order collapse in West Bengal

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari`s personal assistant Chandranath Rath. Pic/PTI

The BJP on Thursday termed the murder of the close aide of its leader Suvendu Adhikari a proof of the "complete collapse" of law and order in West Bengal, ruled by the TMC for 15 years. It accused the Mamata Banerjee-led party of fostering "lawlessness" after losing power in the recently concluded assembly polls.

With the high-profile murder taking place just a couple of days ahead of the swearing-in of the first BJP government in the state, all parties condemned the incident, while the Trinamool Congress rejected the charge and accused the saffron party of attempting to politicise the incident.

Adhikari's executive assistant Chandranath Rath was shot dead by bike-borne assailants on Wednesday night, barely 48 hours after the Assembly poll results were declared. "A person closely associated with Adhikari was targeted in a planned manner. This shows how law-and-order deteriorated under the Mamata Banerjee government, which the people of Bengal have thrown out," a BJP leader said.

West Bengal BJP chief Samik Bhattacharya alleged that party workers were being targeted even after its victory in the state polls and urged its cadre to maintain restraint. "While we are the ones who won the election, we are also the ones who are dying," he said. Bhattacharya further alleged that the situation would have been far worse had the Trinamool Congress been in power. "Had the TMC emerged victorious, they would have likely committed over 200 murders by now."Appealing to party workers to remain calm, Bhattacharya said the BJP has the responsibility of upholding peace in the state.

"I appeal to the entire BJP family to put an end to this. Regardless of who initiates the violence, you must remain calm; the people of West Bengal have entrusted us with the responsibility of maintaining peace," he said.
On the other hand, Adhikari described the gunning down of his close aide as a "cold-blooded murder" and alleged that the killers had carried out a recce before executing the attack in North 24 Parganas district.
The Trinamool Congress dismissed the allegations and accused the BJP of attempting to politicise the incident before an investigation could be taken up.

"The TMC has nothing to do with this unfortunate incident. The police are investigating the case. The BJP should refrain from making baseless accusations. We are the ones who demanded a CBI probe into the killing," a senior Trinamool leader said.

The Congress demanded a transparent probe and criticised both the BJP and the TMC for "turning every tragedy into a political battle". "The focus should remain on arresting the killers and ensuring justice, not on scoring political mileage," a state Congress leader said.

The CPI(M) also condemned the killing and expressed concern over the deteriorating political atmosphere in the state.
"Violence and fear have increasingly become part of Bengal's political culture under the TMC rule. The administration must act firmly and impartially. We condemn the killing and demand strict action against those involved in the crime," a senior CPI(M) leader said.

According to preliminary investigation, motorcycle-borne assailants 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.
Meanwhile, newly elected BJP MLA from Kharagpur, Dilip Ghosh, condemned the killing and said that incidents of violence must be stopped immediately.

"The BJP won the polls, but power has not yet come into our hands. An attack was carried out on Suvendu Adhikari's personal assistant. These incidents of violence must be stopped," he said. Ghosh urged the police to act firmly against anti-social elements and ensure protection for party workers.

The former state BJP chief alleged that internal clashes within the Trinamool Congress were leading to unrest in the state. Newly elected BJP MLA from Asansol, Agnimitra Paul, condemned the killing of Chandranath Rath, whom she described as "Mr Dependable" and "always apolitical".Actor-turned-BJP MLA Rudranil Ghosh said the TMC has once again made bare its true nature

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