The political landscape in India witnessed a dramatic confrontation on Thursday as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches at the Kolkata office of the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) and the residence of its director, Pratik Jain. The raids, part of a money laundering probe linked to an alleged coal pilferage scam, quickly escalated into a high-voltage political showdown with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee making a surprise appearance at the site.
Mamata's Surprise Move and Allegations of Political Motive
The ED action took a sensational turn when Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee arrived at the location of the raids. She alleged that the central agency was attempting to seize her party's sensitive data ahead of the crucial state assembly elections, which are less than three months away. The 294-member West Bengal Assembly is set to go to polls soon, intensifying the battle for narrative control between the TMC and the BJP.
In a strong rebuttal, the ED accused Banerjee of obstructing a lawful investigation. The agency claimed that she and the state police forcibly removed "key evidence" during the searches. The confrontation soon moved to the legal arena, with the ED approaching the Calcutta High Court to file a petition alleging interference. I-PAC also moved the court, challenging the legality of the searches.
The Prashant Kishor Connection: A Central Question
The raids have refocused attention on political strategist Prashant Kishor, one of the co-founders of I-PAC and its most recognizable face for years. TMC leaders were quick to question why Kishor was not targeted. "The ED complaints date back to 2020. Who was at the helm of I-PAC then? It is Prashant Kishor. Then why is Pratik Jain being targeted by ED and not Kishor?" asked TMC spokesperson Arup Chakraborty.
Chakraborty suggested a political motive, stating, "The answer is simple. Jain is now helping TMC with its party strategy. And Kishor with his Jan Suraaj party in Bihar divided the opposition votes, which helped the BJP." He clarified that the ED complaint pertains to events in Goa when Kishor was leading I-PAC.
However, sources indicate Kishor formally severed ties with I-PAC after the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections. A former I-PAC member, requesting anonymity, confirmed, "He worked as a consultant. He had no formal association with the company after 2021." Since his departure, the firm's operations have been overseen by directors Pratik Jain, Rishi Raj Singh, and Vinesh Chandel.
Prashant Kishor's Current Political Journey with Jan Suraaj
Prashant Kishor founded his own political outfit, Jan Suraaj, in October 2024. The party made its electoral debut in the Bihar by-elections on November 13, 2024, contesting four assembly seats but failing to win any. In the 2025 Bihar Legislative Assembly elections, Jan Suraaj contested 238 seats but could not secure a single victory, registering a vote share of 3.4 percent.
Since the electoral setback, Kishor has maintained a low profile, with uncertainty surrounding his future political involvement. His current distance from I-PAC and the focus of the ED probe on its present leadership has become a central point of political debate.
The I-PAC firm is deeply integrated with the TMC's election machinery, managing its IT and media operations, which makes the ED's search operation particularly sensitive in the high-stakes pre-election period. This incident has further fueled the ongoing and aggressive political rivalry in West Bengal, setting the stage for a fiercely contested election.
