Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Thursday, 7 May condemned the killing of Chandranath Rath, personal assistant to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suvendu Adhikari, in West Bengal, calling the incident "highly condemnable" and asserting that violence has no place in democratic politics. Yadav made the remarks in Bhopal as the incident triggered a sharp political row across the country.

What Mohan Yadav Said

Reacting to the shooting death of Rath, Chief Minister Yadav delivered a pointed condemnation directed at all parties involved. "It is highly condemnable. Whoever has done this act, I believe that winning and losing elections is part of democracy, but if you lose an election and resort to such actions, this is exactly why the public has sent you home," he said.

Yadav further stressed that electoral outcomes must be respected and that violence is an affront to democratic values. "Democracy runs on the will of the people. Victory and defeat are decided by voters. Resorting to bullets after losing at the ballot shows contempt for democratic values. This is precisely why the public has rejected such politics," he added.

The Chief Minister also called for legal accountability and a public apology from those responsible, regardless of their party affiliation. "There is no space for violence in politics. Whoever is responsible, irrespective of party affiliation, must be held accountable. They should not only face legal action but also apologise to the people," Yadav said.

The Incident: Chandranath Rath Shot Dead

According to reports, Chandranath Rath, who served as the personal assistant of senior BJP leader and West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, was shot dead in West Bengal. The exact circumstances and location of the shooting are under investigation. West Bengal Police have registered a case and launched a probe into the killing. Further details on the motive and the accused are awaited, according to reports.

BJP's Political Response

The killing has set off a fierce political reaction within the BJP. Party leaders in West Bengal have alleged a complete breakdown of law and order in the state and demanded a central probe, claiming that political workers affiliated with opposition parties are being systematically targeted. The incident is expected to intensify the ongoing political battle between the BJP and the ruling All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) in the state.

This comes amid a broader pattern of post-poll violence allegations in West Bengal that have repeatedly drawn national attention. Notably, the state has seen multiple such incidents in recent years, each sparking demands for central intervention.

Yadav's Broader Message on Democracy

Chief Minister Yadav used the occasion to articulate a broader principle on political conduct. "We may be political opponents, but we are not enemies. The Constitution gives everyone the right to contest and campaign. Taking a life over political rivalry is an attack on democracy itself," he said, urging all political actors to resolve differences through debate and elections rather than violence.

As the investigation progresses, all eyes will be on whether West Bengal Police can swiftly identify and prosecute those responsible — and whether the Centre moves to intervene amid mounting BJP pressure for a central probe.