Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Thursday strongly condemned the killing of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suvendu Adhikari’s personal assistant Chandranath Rath in West Bengal, calling the incident “highly condemnable” and asserting that violence has no place in a democratic system. His remarks come amid escalating political tensions following the reported shooting.

Speaking in Bhopal, Chief Minister Yadav said that electoral victory and defeat are part of the democratic process, and no political disagreement can justify violence. He stressed that resorting to attacks after losing elections reflects disregard for democratic values and the mandate of the people. He added that those responsible, irrespective of political affiliation, should face accountability and publicly apologise.

The Chief Minister further said that democracy is sustained by the will of the people and expressed concern that political violence undermines its foundation. He noted that elections are meant to resolve differences through voting, debate, and constitutional processes, not through acts of retaliation or force. According to him, such incidents weaken public trust in the political system.

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Yadav’s remarks came after reports that Chandranath Rath, who served as the personal assistant to Suvendu Adhikari, was shot dead in West Bengal. The incident has triggered strong reactions from BJP leaders, who have alleged a deterioration in law and order in the state and called for stronger intervention in the case.

Political tensions have intensified in the aftermath of the killing, with BJP leaders demanding a central investigation into the incident, alleging targeted attacks on opposition-linked workers in West Bengal. Meanwhile, the state police have registered a case and initiated an investigation to determine the circumstances and identify those responsible.

Reiterating his stand, Chief Minister Yadav said that political opponents are not enemies and that democratic systems must ensure space for peaceful competition. He stressed that taking lives over political rivalry is an attack on the Constitution itself and urged all sides to resolve differences through democratic and lawful means rather than violence.

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