BJP Supporters Stage Road Blockades In Bengal Over Chandranath Rath Killing

Protests erupted across parts of West Bengal on Thursday following the killing of Chandranath Rath, a close associate of senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, with party supporters blocking roads, burning tyres, and demanding swift action against those responsible for the attack.

In Salboni in Paschim Medinipur district, around 200 BJP workers and supporters staged a road blockade on a key arterial route, setting tyres on fire and raising slogans alleging a conspiracy behind Rath’s murder. Protesters accused the ruling All India Trinamool Congress of fostering political violence in the state ahead of the swearing-in of the new government. Police later intervened and persuaded demonstrators to withdraw the blockade after nearly 30 minutes.

Tension also remained high in Madhyamgram in North 24 Parganas district, where Rath was shot dead late Wednesday night. BJP supporters gathered outside his residence demanding strict punishment for the attackers, while security personnel maintained heavy deployment in the area to prevent any escalation. Authorities said normal life continued in most other parts of the district, although police presence was increased as a precaution.

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According to investigators, Rath was returning home when motorcycle-borne assailants intercepted his SUV near Doltala in Madhyamgram at around 10:30 pm. Eyewitnesses claimed the vehicle was initially blocked by a small four-wheeler near Doharia junction before one of the attackers approached and fired at close range. Rath sustained fatal injuries, while the driver of the vehicle was critically wounded.

Hospital officials said the injured driver underwent multiple surgeries and remains under intensive care. Police teams have launched a detailed investigation into the attack, examining CCTV footage, vehicle movements, and possible political motives behind what investigators described as a highly coordinated assault.

While BJP leaders accused the ruling TMC of being behind the murder, Suvendu Adhikari stopped short of directly naming any organisation and appealed to party workers to maintain calm and trust the investigation process. He alleged, however, that attacks on BJP workers had continued in several districts after the Assembly election results.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan strongly condemned the killing, describing it as evidence of a “blood-soaked political culture” in West Bengal. In a statement and social media posts, Pradhan alleged that BJP workers in the state had repeatedly faced violence and intimidation for opposing the ruling party. He said the incident reflected a broader pattern of political hostility and vowed that those responsible for such violence would be held accountable under the law.

Also Read: Suvendu Adhikari Appeals For Calm, Warns Against Vigilantism In West Bengal