KOLKATA: (PTI):-  BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari’s personal assistant was shot dead by unidentified assailants in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district, party sources said.

The incident took place at Doharia in Madhyamgram area, where Chandranath Rath, who served as the executive assistant to the leader of opposition in the state assembly, was attacked on a public road, they said.

He sustained critical injuries in the firing and was rushed to a private hospital, where doctors declared him dead, they added.

According to preliminary information, Rath was shot at from a close range by miscreants, who fled the scene immediately after carrying out the attack.

“We have been preaching peace but TMC has made the biggest blunder,” newly elected BJP MLA Tarunjyoti Tewari said.

News of the incident spread quickly, prompting the deployment of a large police contingent in the area amid rising tension.

Senior police officers reached the spot and launched an investigation.

Efforts were underway to identify the assailants and ascertain the motive behind the attack, sources said.

The incident sent shock waves through the state’s political circles.

No arrests had been made till the filing of this report.

Further details were awaited.