Security beefed up after BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari's personal assistant Chandranath Rath was shot at from close range by unidentified assailants in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas on May 6, 2026.
| Photo Credit:
PTI
West Bengal Police on Thursday (May 7, 2026) seized a vehicle in connection with the probe into the alleged murder of Chandra, personal assistant to West Bengal BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari.
Amid surging post-poll violence in West Bengal, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari’s personal assistant was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Madhyamgram area in the State’s North 24 Parganas district on Wednesday (May 6, 2026).
Also read: Slain Chandranath Rath: From air force serviceman to Suvendu’s trusted troubleshooter
Efforts for government formation picked up pace in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry with the parties and alliances that won the polls also making preparations for oath-taking ceremonies.
In Tamil Nadu, where Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) emerged as the single-largest party, its chief Vijay is unlikely to take oath on Thursday (May 7, 2026). T.N. Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar is learnt to have asked Mr. Vijay, who staked claim to form the next government, to produce letters demonstrating support of 118 MLAs, the majority mark in the 234-member Assembly.
Also Read : Tamil Nadu government formation: DMK rejects overtures from AIADMK, sources say
The Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee is set to hold its first Legislative Party meeting for newly-elected MLAs on Thursday (May 7, 2026).
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May 07, 2026 07:59
West Bengal | Absentee MLAs not present at meeting due to valid reasons, says TMC
Trinamool Congress sources have told The Hindu that the absentee MLAs had valid reasons for missing the meeting, citing emergencies and prior notifications.
“All absentee MLAs had informed in advance of their absence or a few of them were asked not to come, especially from the North Bengal area,” said the TMC sources.
“Sagardighi MLA had a family medical emergency. In Birbhum, Kajal Sheikh was asked to stay back and assist families who have been affected by the post-poll violence unleashed,” they added.
- Shiv Sahay Singh
May 07, 2026 07:54
West Bengal | 65% of newly elected MLAs face criminal cases; 61% are ‘crorepatis’: ADR
As many as 65% of newly elected legislators in the West Bengal Assembly have declared criminal cases against themselves, marking a sharp rise from the previous election, according to a report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).
The report, which analysed affidavits of all 292 winning candidates in the 2026 Assembly polls, found that 190 MLAs (65%) have declared criminal cases, up from 142 (49%) in 2021. Of these, 170 legislators (58%) face serious criminal charges, compared to 113 (39%) in the previous Assembly.
A party-wise analysis showed that 152 of 206 winning candidates (74%) from the Bharatiya Janata Party have declared criminal cases, followed by 34 out of 80 (43%) from the All India Trinamool Congress.
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65% of newly elected Bengal MLAs face criminal cases; 61% are ‘crorepatis’: ADR
A report reveals 65% of Bengal's newly elected MLAs face criminal cases, with 61% being millionaires, highlighting political concerns.
May 07, 2026 07:50
Slain Chandranath Rath: From air force serviceman to Suvendu’s trusted troubleshooter
Rath, 41, originally hailed from Chandipur in the Purba Medinipur district, the political turf that shaped Suvendu Adhikari’s rise in Bengal politics, party sources said.
Before entering active political organisational work, Rath had spent nearly two decades in the Indian Air Force after completing his studies at Rahara Ramakrishna Mission.
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May 07, 2026 07:48
West Bengal | Police seize vehicle, probe underway after Suvendu Adhikari’s aide murder
West Bengal Police on Thursday (May 7, 2026) seized a vehicle in connection with the probe into the alleged murder of Chandra, personal assistant to West Bengal BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari.
West Bengal Director General of Police (DGP) Siddh Nath Gupta said that live rounds along with fired cartridges were recovered from the spot of the incident near Madhyamgram.
- ANI
Published - May 07, 2026 07:40 am IST
