Debendra Nath Ray, a BJP MLA in West Bengal, was found hanging near his village home in Bindal, Uttar Dinajpur district.
The West Bengal unit of the BJP circulated a video of Ray's body on Monday morning; it is yet unclear when he died. The BJP alleged "People are of the clear opinion that he was first killed & then hung."
The BJP Bengal Twitter handle attributed a political motive to the death of Ray, noting "His crime? He joined the BJP in 2019."
Debendra Nath Ray was elected to the reserved Assembly constituency of Hemtabad on a CPI(M) ticket in the 2016 polls. However in May 2019, after announcement of the Parliamentary election results, Ray joined the BJP. Ray joined the BJP with supporters in Raigunj, following which the area became a BJP stronghold.
The state government and police are yet to comment on the death of Debendra Nath Ray. Ray’s family has blamed the ruling Trinamool Congress of being behind his death.
If foul play is confirmed in the death of Ray, as the BJP alleges, it would mark a major escalation in the political war between the BJP and the ruling Trinamool Congress, which has so far been focussed on the level of panchayats.
(With inputs from Rabi Banerjee)