Chandranath Rath, the personal assistant and close aide of West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari who was shot dead in Madhyamgram, had a long and varied career that spanned military service, corporate work, and political organisation before his death in a suspected targeted attack. Rath, 41, originally hailed from Chandipur in Purba Medinipur district, an area closely associated with Adhikari’s political rise. Known to maintain a low public profile, he was described by those who knew him as soft-spoken and largely working behind the scenes despite being part of Adhikari’s inner circle for several years.

Before entering politics, Rath served in the Indian Air Force for nearly two decades. He had completed his education at Rahara Ramakrishna Mission, an institution known for its emphasis on discipline and value-based learning. According to people familiar with his background, his early years were shaped by a strong influence of the Ramakrishna Mission ethos, and he was once said to have considered a spiritual path.

After taking voluntary retirement from the Air Force, Rath briefly transitioned into the corporate sector. He later moved into political coordination and administrative responsibilities, gradually becoming an important aide in Adhikari’s organisational and constituency-related work. Over time, he became part of the leader’s trusted support team.

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Rath’s family background also had political connections. His mother, Hasi Rath, had previously served in a local panchayat body in Purba Medinipur during the period when the Trinamool Congress was expanding its influence in the region. Later, the family shifted political allegiance alongside Suvendu Adhikari when he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2020, marking a significant political realignment in the area.

Family acquaintances said the relationship between the Rath family and Adhikari dated back more than two decades, rooted in early political developments in Purba Medinipur. This long-standing association eventually translated into Rath’s close involvement in Adhikari’s political operations. Rath’s death has now brought renewed attention to his background and role within the opposition leader’s team. His journey from Air Force service to political aide has become a point of discussion amid investigations into the circumstances surrounding the killing, which authorities are treating as a suspected targeted attack in North 24 Parganas district.

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