Sources claimed that it was Chandranath Rath who confronted Mamata Banerjee during the dramatic late-night dharna outside the Bhabanipur counting centre on April 30 and the early hours of May 1
Sources claimed that it was Chandranath Rath who confronted Mamata Banerjee during the dramatic late-night dharna outside the Bhabanipur counting centre on April 30 and the early hours of May 1, when tensions spiralled between the BJP, Trinamool Congress and the Election Commission over allegations linked to EVM strongrooms. Rath formally became part of Adhikari’s official team around 2019, when the BJP leader was still serving as a minister in the Mamata Banerjee government. Earlier reporting noted: According to investigators, Rath was returning to his residence with aide Buddhadeb Bera around 10.30pm when motorcycle-borne assailants allegedly intercepted their SUV near Jessore Road, close to Kolkata airport.
Party sources said Rath was part of the core team leading BJP’s operations in Bhabanipur during the assembly elections and played a central role in coordinating organisational strategy, mobilisation and ground management for Adhikari in the high-voltage contest against the Trinamool Congress chief. Sources said Rath was among those coordinating BJP’s protest operations and mobilisation during the tense face-off that continued deep into the night. Family acquaintances said he had once seriously considered embracing a spiritual life during his student years. Sources said the Rath family, much like Adhikari’s, had earlier been associated with the Trinamool Congress during its expansion in Purba Medinipur. Family acquaintances said the relationship between the Rath family and Adhikari stretched back more than two decades to the early years of TMC’s rise in the district. It appeared completely pre-planned,” an eyewitness said, claiming the attackers fled immediately after the shooting. Earlier reporting noted: Police sources said Rath suffered bullet injuries to the chest and abdomen, while Bera was hit in the chest, abdomen and leg.
Before entering active politics, Rath studied at Rahara Ramakrishna Mission and was deeply influenced by its spiritual ethos. Initially, he handled responsibilities linked to Adhikari’s ministerial office and later continued in a similar role after Adhikari crossed over to the saffron camp. Within sections of the BJP organisation, there had even been speculation that Rath could eventually be entrusted with a larger administrative role if Adhikari assumed a bigger responsibility in government following the assembly polls. Rath was declared brought dead at a nearby private hospital, while Bera remains in critical condition.
Earlier reporting noted: “As soon as the vehicle stopped, a bike-borne shooter came to the left side and started firing.