Kolkata: The killing of Chandranath Rath, a close aide of senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, has sent shockwaves through West Bengal’s political circles, drawing attention to the remarkable journey of a former Indian Air Force serviceman who quietly rose to become one of the opposition leader’s most trusted associates.
Rath, 41, was shot dead late Wednesday night in North 24 Parganas district after unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants allegedly intercepted his vehicle near the Doharia area in Madhyamgram and opened fire at close range.
Originally from Chandipur in Purba Medinipur district — the political stronghold closely associated with Adhikari’s rise — Rath maintained a low public profile despite occupying a key position within the BJP leader’s inner circle.
According to party sources and people familiar with the family, Rath studied at Rahara Ramakrishna Mission and was deeply influenced by the teachings and discipline of the Ramakrishna Mission during his formative years. Those close to him said he had once contemplated pursuing a spiritual path before eventually joining the Indian Air Force.
Rath went on to serve in the Air Force for nearly two decades before opting for voluntary retirement. Following a brief stint in the corporate sector, he gradually transitioned into political and organisational work.
His family had longstanding ties with Bengal politics. Much like Adhikari’s family, the Raths were once associated with the Trinamool Congress. His mother, Hasi Rath, had served in a local panchayat body in Purba Medinipur during the party’s rule before shifting allegiance to the BJP alongside Adhikari in 2020.
People familiar with the family said the relationship between the Raths and Adhikari dates back more than two decades, to the early phase of the Trinamool Congress’ expansion in Purba Medinipur.
Rath formally joined Adhikari’s official team around 2019, when the BJP leader was still a minister in the Mamata Banerjee-led government. Initially tasked with handling responsibilities linked to Adhikari’s ministerial office, Rath continued working closely with him even after the latter defected to the BJP.
Over time, he became an important backroom strategist in Adhikari’s political machinery, overseeing logistics, coordinating organisational work and maintaining communication with party workers across regions.
BJP insiders described Rath as a highly dependable figure who enjoyed Adhikari’s complete trust and was frequently assigned sensitive responsibilities tied to campaign operations and political coordination.
He was also actively involved in several politically significant campaigns, including the BJP’s high-profile Bhabanipur election battle.
Within sections of the party, there had reportedly been discussions that Rath could eventually be entrusted with a larger administrative role if Adhikari assumed greater responsibility in government following the assembly elections.
Those possibilities were cut short with Wednesday night’s attack, which has further escalated political tensions in West Bengal in the aftermath of the recently concluded assembly polls.
