Personal aide to West Bengal chief minister-elect shot dead amid post-poll violence

Police have not confirmed the party affiliations of the two victims other than Rath, according to West Bengal police. Sukanta Majumdar, a junior federal minister, stated that as soon as our chief minister takes the oath and our government assumes power, everything will be set right though it may take a little time.

Samik Bhattacharya, state party chief of BJP in West Bengal, stated that the BJP did not support any act of violence. A senior police officer told PTI that there was a meeting in the market to celebrate the BJP's victory but that no untoward incident had taken place.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar issued directives to monitor law and order in West Bengal and take immediate action in case of violence or vandalism, a senior police officer told the BBC.

BBC News reported that violence is not uncommon in West Bengal after elections, with clashes often breaking out between rival party workers. Tensions had been high in the state for weeks ahead of the vote. The BJP has conducted victory rallies across the state since Monday, with supporters chanting slogans of 'Jai Shree Ram'.

Visuals of arson and vandalism have emerged from districts including Murshidabad, Birbhum, Kolkata and Howrah since the results. The TMC has accused BJP workers of vandalising and setting fire to some of its party offices. The BJP has denied this.

The party also faced accusations from the TMC of bringing a bulldozer to demolish meat shops in a famous market in Kolkata. A senior police officer told the BBC on Wednesday that the police and district administration had received the directives from Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

BBC News reported that the state's recurring election violence stems from its entrenched "party society" in which party affiliation became embedded in daily rural life and livelihoods.