A fierce political battle has erupted in West Bengal, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launching a blistering verbal attack on Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The confrontation was triggered by raids conducted by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday, January 8, 2026.
ED Raids Target TMC Amid Election Season
The central probe agency carried out searches at the residences of information technology chiefs associated with several political parties. Among those raided was TMC leader Prateek Jain, whose premises were searched in connection with an alleged fake government job scam. The timing of these actions, just months before the crucial West Bengal assembly elections, has added significant fuel to the political fire.
In a bold and defiant move, Mamata Banerjee chose to visit the Salt Lake office of I-PAC (Indian Political Action Committee) on the same day as the raids. I-PAC, the political advocacy group founded by strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor, has been working closely with the Trinamool Congress and the state government. Her visit was widely seen as a show of strength and solidarity.
'Naughty, Nasty Home Minister': Mamata's Scathing Attack
Addressing the media, the West Bengal Chief Minister did not mince her words. She accused the Bharatiya Janata Party-led central government of engaging in political vendetta and using central agencies to intimidate the opposition.
Directly targeting Amit Shah, Banerjee used unusually sharp language. "Is it the job of the country’s Home Minister to collect my party's documents, hard disks, and list of candidates for the state assembly elections?" she questioned. She went on to label Shah as "naughty and nasty," framing the ED's actions as a politically motivated assault rather than a legitimate investigation.
Escalating Tensions Ahead of Polls
This incident marks a significant escalation in the ongoing war of words between the Trinamool Congress and the Modi government. With the state elections looming, every action is being viewed through a highly partisan lens. The raid and the subsequent reaction have effectively set the tone for a bitterly contested electoral campaign.
The key points of contention now are:
- The timing of the ED raids just before elections.
- The focus on the party's IT wing and potential campaign data.
- The direct personal attack on a senior Union Minister by a sitting Chief Minister.
This clash underscores the deep-seated tensions between the Centre and the West Bengal government, promising a volatile political season in the state. The allegations of misuse of central agencies are likely to become a central theme for the TMC's campaign, while the BJP is expected to counter by emphasizing the need for a corruption-free administration.
