Koustav Banerjee, a Congress councillor, who was visiting a close friend at Manikpara, had gone to view a group of about 60 elephants near Sorodia railway station when he met his end, police said.
Four persons accompanying Banerjee fled when one of the elephants charged at them. Banerjee, who was clicking photographs of the elephants, fell on the ground and was hurled to the ground by the animal.
He was rushed to Midnapore Medical College and Hospital in a critical condition and died there, the police added.