Adhikari

• Chandranath Rath, personal assistant to West Bengal BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, was assassinated in Madhyamgram, North 24 Parganas, hit by three of four bullets while in a moving car. • The killing occurred two days after BJP's historic assembly election win over TMC on May 6, 2026, heightening post-poll tensions. • TMC condemned the murder on Thursday, demanding a CBI probe, while Chandra's mother broke down publicly, calling for life imprisonment for the killers.

• BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari defeated West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in the Bhabanipur constituency by 15,105 votes, marking a historic breach of her political stronghold. • The victory represents a symbolic turning point in West Bengal politics, ending Mamata's long winning streak in her home constituency during a period of major state-level political realignment. • The defeat follows the BJP's broader success in West Bengal assembly elections, where the party crossed the majority mark after 15 years of TMC dominance in the state.

• Bhabanipur constituency in West Bengal is the epicenter of the 2026 assembly election, pitting TMC chief Mamata Banerjee against BJP's Suvendu Adhikari after her prior Nandigram loss. • The diverse voter base includes significant Hindi-speaking traders and lower minority concentration compared to TMC strongholds, adding complexity to the high-stakes fight. • Stringent security measures implemented statewide to ensure transparent counting amid political tensions and voter list disputes.