In a dramatic escalation of political tensions, Members of Parliament from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) staged a vociferous protest outside the residence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on January 9, 2026. The demonstration was a direct response to the recent raids conducted by central agencies on the offices of the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC), a political consultancy that has worked closely with the TMC in the past.
Protesters Decry 'Vendetta Politics' Ahead of Mamata's Rally
The protest, held in the heart of the national capital, saw TMC parliamentarians raising slogans and holding placards that accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of engaging in 'dirty politics'. The lawmakers alleged that the raids on I-PAC were a politically motivated act of intimidation, aimed at stifling the opposition ahead of crucial political contests. This public demonstration was strategically timed, occurring just before a major protest rally planned by West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee on the same issue.
The Core Issue: Raids on Political Consultancy
The flashpoint for this confrontation was the series of searches carried out by central investigative agencies at the premises linked to I-PAC. While the official reasons for the raids have been cited as potential financial irregularities, the TMC has vehemently rejected this narrative. The party's leadership contends that the action is a clear case of the central government misusing its agencies to target political adversaries and entities associated with them. The protest outside the Home Minister's office was a symbolic move to highlight their allegation that the political vendetta is being orchestrated from the highest levels of the government.
Mounting Tensions and Political Repercussions
This incident marks a significant worsening of relations between the BJP-led Centre and the TMC-ruled state of West Bengal. The public protest by elected MPs in Delhi underscores the depth of the rift. It sets the stage for Mamata Banerjee's upcoming rally, which is now expected to be an even more forceful condemnation of the central government's actions. Political analysts suggest that this episode will further polarize the political landscape, with the TMC framing it as a battle for democratic survival against an overreaching central power. The fallout is likely to resonate beyond West Bengal, influencing the strategies of other opposition parties as well.
The events of January 9th have solidified a narrative of confrontation, ensuring that the issue of agency raids and political targeting will remain a central theme in the national political discourse in the coming days.
