Election Results 2026 Highlights: Another BJP worker critical after being shot in Basirhat post-poll clash

BJP leader Swapan Dasgupta described the killing of Chandranath Rath as a “pre-planned political murder” and alleged the involvement of “TMC assassins” in the incident.

“I worked with him very closely. This breaks my heart because I met him two days back,” Dasgupta said while reacting to the killing. He further claimed that the “fingerprints lead to a political party” and alleged that those linked to the Trinamool Congress were behind the murder.

Dasgupta also said BJP workers were angered by the incident but asserted that the matter would be dealt with “administratively after May 9”.
 

BJP leader Sukanta Majumdar termed the killing of Rath a “cold-blooded planned murder” and said senior officers are closely monitoring the investigation.

Speaking to reporters, Majumdar said police officials had shared certain inputs with them but added that details could not be disclosed at this stage. “The DG told us it was a cold-blooded planned murder. The murder was carried out after proper recce,” he said.

Majumdar further claimed that the attackers appeared to be “professional criminals” and said five cartridges had been recovered from Chandrashekhar’s body. He asserted that those behind the killing would not be spared.

“We will not spare anyone. The strictest possible action will be taken,” the BJP leader said, demanding a thorough probe into the incident.
 

Reacting to the killing of his personal assistant Chandra Nath Rath, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari said he was not drawing any conclusions at this stage and urged that the police be allowed to carry out a thorough investigation.

“We are not coming to any conclusion. Let the police investigate. We feel there could be some political connection,” Adhikari said.
 

Sources said approximately 10 rounds were fired in the incident, possibly more. Police sources indicate that the pattern of the crime suggests it was a premeditated killing.

According to preliminary findings, the area had been surveyed in advance and an escape route was carefully planned by the attackers.
 

The West Bengal DGP said that investigators have seized the vehicle involved in the killing of Chandra Nath Rath, a close aide of Suvendu Adhikari, and found its number plate to be tampered with. He added that both spent cartridges and live bullets have been recovered from the spot.

The DGP further stated that efforts are underway to identify those involved through CCTV footage analysis and local inquiries, including questioning witnesses, as the investigation progresses.

A BJP worker, Rohit Roy alias Chintu, was shot and critically injured in Basirhat following a dispute over hoisting a party flag amid post-poll tensions. The incident occurred around 10 pm on Wednesday in the Rajiv Colony area under Gotra Gram Panchayat, within Basirhat police station limits.

According to reports, tensions flared when local BJP workers and supporters allegedly faced resistance while attempting to hoist the party flag, leading to a violent confrontation. The shooting has triggered unrest in the area, with a heavy police presence deployed to maintain order.

BJP leader Keya Ghosh alleged that Chandra Nath Rath, a close aide of Suvendu Adhikari, was shot at point-blank range in Madhyamgram. She claimed Rath had worked extensively during the Bhabanipur campaign, where Adhikari contested against Mamata Banerjee.

Ghosh accused the Trinamool Congress (TMC) of targeting Rath out of “rage and frustration,” calling it a “vindictive party.” She further said that those responsible for the killing, including the alleged perpetrators and conspirators, would face strict action once a new government is formed.

TMC condemned the brutal murder of Chandra Nath Rath and three other party workers in post-poll violence, demanding the strongest possible action, including a court-monitored CBI investigation.

Poet Kumar Vishwas on Wednesday commented on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee continuing in office despite facing defeat in the recently-concluded Assembly elections, saying democratic norms must be respected.

A large cache of sharp weapons was reportedly recovered from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) office of Narayanpur Gram Panchayat pradhan Salauddin Sardar in West Bengal South 24 Parganas district, according to local sources.

Locals said there had been a long-standing rivalry between Salauddin Sardar and former Trinamool leader Rahima Laskar, also known as Baby. They alleged that, taking advantage of the changing political situation in the state, Baby's group targetted Salauddin and his supporters.

(With inputs from Tapas Sengupta.)

Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Wednesday reacted to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee continuing in office despite losing the recently-concluded Assembly election, making sharp remarks over the situation in the state. "The workers who died, the scores will be settled, there will be no hooliganism, Mamata ji who is doing anarchism, she will be dismissed, the Governor has the power, he said. 

Janata Dal (United) MLA Anant Kumar Singh on Wednesday reacted to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee continuing in office despite defeated in the recently-concluded Assembly elections, saying the Opposition's role is limited to raising concerns.

"The job of the opposition is to speak. The public has chosen whomsoever they wanted to choose. This has always happened and will continue to happen," he said while speaking to reporters in Patna. 

DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan on Wednesday expressed concerns over the recent Tamil Nadu Assembly election results, calling for closer scrutiny of the voting process in select constituencies. Elangovan said there were 'doubts' regarding the electoral exercise from the beginning and pointed to issues raised during the SIR phase.

"I have some doubts about the election. From the beginning, right from SIR, a lot of things have been happening. I just want to check the VVPAT slips in some constituencies. I have asked our leadership for this as well," he said.

A petition has been filed before the Madras High Court seeking directions to register a cheating and money laundering case against TVK chief Vijay. The petitioner has urged the court to direct law enforcement agencies to register an FIR against Vijay, alleging suppression of financial transactions and receipt of unaccounted cash as remuneration.

According to the plea, the Madras High Court registry has numbered the writ petition seeking criminal action and prosecution against Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president C Joseph Vijay. The petition refers to a 2015 Income Tax search conducted during the release of the film Puli, which allegedly uncovered unaccounted cash transactions.

(With inputs from Apoorva Jayachandran.)