Ex-IAF officer to Suvendu Adhikari’s trusted aide: Who was Chandranath Rath?

Tension gripped West Bengal again after unidentified attackers shot dead Chandranath Rath, a close aide of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, in Madhyamgram late Wednesday night. Police launched a probe soon after the killing. Meanwhile, political circles across the state reacted with shock and concern.

The murder came just days after the Bengal Assembly election results triggered a fierce political battle. The BJP stormed to power with a massive mandate, while Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee refused to step down and challenged rivals to take the fight to the streets. Against this charged backdrop, Rath’s killing added another flashpoint to Bengal’s already tense political climate.

However, party workers remembered Chandranath Rath for more than politics. Many described him as quiet, disciplined and dependable. Inside BJP circles, leaders often called him the man who handled difficult tasks without seeking attention.

Rath, 41, came from Chandipur in Purba Medinipur district. The region also shaped Suvendu Adhikari’s political rise over the years. According to party insiders, Rath shared a long association with the Adhikari family and gradually became one of the BJP leader’s most trusted backroom organisers.

Before entering politics, Rath served in the Indian Air Force for nearly two decades. He studied at the Rahara Ramakrishna Mission and reportedly drew strong influence from the institution’s spiritual and disciplined environment. People close to his family said he once even considered a religious path before choosing public life.

After taking voluntary retirement from the Air Force, Rath briefly worked in the corporate sector. Later, he shifted towards organisational and administrative work in politics. His move into the political space did not happen suddenly. His family already maintained links with grassroots politics in Purba Medinipur.

His mother, Hasi Rath, earlier worked in a local panchayat body during the Trinamool Congress years. Later, she joined the BJP alongside Suvendu Adhikari in 2020 after the leader’s high-profile exit from the ruling party.

Around 2019, Rath officially joined Adhikari’s core team while the senior leader still served as a minister in the Bengal government. From there, Rath’s role steadily expanded. He handled office coordination, campaign logistics and communication with workers. Even after Adhikari crossed over to the BJP, Rath continued to manage several sensitive responsibilities.

Ground-level BJP workers in Nandigram and Bhabanipur recalled Rath’s constant presence during election campaigns. While senior leaders addressed rallies, Rath often supervised booth coordination, worker movement and logistical planning behind the scenes. Several local workers said he rarely appeared before cameras but remained central to campaign management.

Within the party, speculation had also grown about Rath’s future role. Some insiders believed Adhikari could hand him a larger administrative responsibility if the BJP formed the government.

Following the murder, BJP leaders publicly mourned Rath. BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul described him as “Mr Dependable” and said he managed almost every aspect of Adhikari’s Assembly-related work. BJP leader Sreerupa Mitra Chaudhury also called him a close friend and remembered his dedication during party activities.

Meanwhile, Suvendu Adhikari urged supporters to stay calm and avoid retaliation. He said police informed him that the attackers planned the crime over several days and carried out reconnaissance before the shooting. He also stated that investigators suspect a planned murder executed in cold blood using a vehicle.

Police continue to investigate the motive behind the attack. So far, officers have not confirmed whether the killing directly links to political rivalry. Yet the incident has once again exposed the deep mistrust and tension that continue to dominate Bengal’s political landscape after the election verdict.