Calcutta: A Trinamul rural poll winner was shot dead by unidentified criminals at a market in Haroa, North 24-Parganas, on Sunday.

Around 5am, at least four rounds were fired at Saheb Ali Gazi, 38, who won from Khasbalanda gram panchayat, while he was returning home through Samla market on a bike after meeting party leaders.

Rushed to a hospital, he was declared brought dead.

Police have begun a murder case and detained a party colleague, and two civic volunteers on duty in Samla market at the time of the murder. However, the exact reason for the murder could not be ascertained, police officers said.

Gazi's wife Halima Biwi blamed party factionalism. “My husband fell victim to internal politics of the party. A section of the party was afraid of him since he used to protest against illegal activities. They hatched a conspiracy and killed him," she said.

Party insiders claimed that Gazi had opposed the selection of some victorious party candidates as executives of the newly formed board.

Gazi's family has lodged a police complaint naming at least 10 persons.

Haroa Trinamul MLA Sheikh Nurul Islam Haji, however, ruled out any party feud. “It was an act by criminals. But it is not clear why Gazi became the target," he said.

Additional SP (Basirhat) Soutam Banerjee said they were "examining all possible aspects".