West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee spearheaded a major protest march on Friday, January 9, 2026, condemning the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) extensive searches at premises connected to political strategist Prashant Kishor. The raids targeted the residence and offices of Kishor's consultancy firm, the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC), which currently works with the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in the state.
Protest March Against "Political Vendetta"
Addressing a gathering of party workers and supporters during the march, Mamata Banerjee launched a fierce counterattack against the central agency and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government at the Centre. She categorically stated that she and her party have done nothing wrong in their association with I-PAC. The Chief Minister framed the raids as a clear act of political intimidation aimed at destabilizing her party ahead of crucial electoral battles.
"These raids are nothing but a political vendetta," Banerjee declared. "When they cannot fight us politically, they misuse central agencies to target those associated with us. I-PAC is a professional organization, and we have engaged their services transparently."
Serious Allegations Against BJP Leaders
In a dramatic escalation, the TMC supremo did not stop at defending her own camp. She turned the tables on the BJP by making a serious corruption allegation. Banerjee claimed that proceeds from the coal scam are being channeled to top BJP leaders.
"While they are busy raiding our consultants, they should look within their own house," she alleged. "The money from the coal scam is going to the leaders of the BJP. Why is the ED not investigating that? This is a classic case of the pot calling the kettle black." She did not, however, provide specific evidence or names during her public address.
The Focus of the ED Raids
The Enforcement Directorate's action on January 9 is understood to be part of an ongoing money laundering investigation. While the exact case details prompting the searches on I-PAC locations were not officially detailed during the operation, sources indicate it may be linked to a broader probe into alleged financial irregularities.
I-PAC, founded by Prashant Kishor, is one of India's most prominent political consulting firms and has worked with several major parties across the country, including the BJP in the past. Its current contractual engagement with the Trinamool Congress has been a subject of political discussion. The raids have brought the often-opaque world of political consultancy and campaign financing into sharp focus, raising questions about the legal and financial frameworks governing such entities.
The political fallout from this event is likely to be significant, further intensifying the already bitter rivalry between the Trinamool Congress and the BJP in West Bengal and on the national stage.
