BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari's PA shot dead by assailants near North 24 Parganas

KOLKATA: West Bengal BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari's Personal Assistant was shot dead on Wednesday night, raising tensions over the spiralling political violence in the state. The shooting occurred as riots continued in Kolkata following the election results. Suvendu's personal assistant, Chandranath Rath, was shot in Madhyamgram. The initial conclusion of the police is that the assailants fired four shots at Rath’s car, and three hit him. The police have tightened security at the spot.

As per reports, the assailants who were on a bike followed Rath's car and, when he slowed down, fired shots at him.

National media reported ay that Rath, who was shot, was taken to the hospital but could not be saved. The incident took place in the North 24 Parganas district near Kolkata. Trinamool candidate Rathin Ghosh won the Madhyamgram constituency where the shooting took place.

The murder took place at a time when Suvendu emerged as the giant slayer, defeating Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Bhawanipur, a Trinamool stronghold.

The BJP came to power in the state for the first time in history in the assembly elections, ending Mamata Banerjee's 15-year rule. The party won 207 seats, while Mamata's party was limited to 80 seats.