A dramatic confrontation unfolded in Kolkata on Thursday as raids by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on premises linked to political consultancy I-PAC escalated into a direct stand-off with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The Chief Minister personally shadowed the central agency's search teams throughout the day, leading to unprecedented scenes and sharp political accusations.
A Day of High-Stakes Political Drama
The Enforcement Directorate conducted simultaneous searches at multiple locations, including the I-PAC office in Salt Lake's Sector V tech hub and the central Kolkata residence of its director, Pratik Jain. The agency stated it is investigating the Prashant Kishor-founded Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) in connection with a 2020 money laundering case linked to a coal scam. I-PAC's official website lists both the Trinamool Congress and the Bengal government as its clients.
The situation took an extraordinary turn with the arrival of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accompanied by a large contingent of state police officials. According to the ED's subsequent complaint, the proceedings, which were being conducted "in a peaceful and professional manner," were disrupted by her intervention.
"Snatch Our Strategy": Mamata's Allegations
Mamata Banerjee took an aggressive stance, directing the police to verify the ED officials' credentials. Her personnel also reportedly took away some files and storage devices from the search teams. The TMC supremo launched a scathing attack on the central government, directly implicating Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
"Amit Shah has sent ED... Is this ED's work? The nasty and naughty home minister, who cannot protect the country, is trying to take away our party papers to win the election," Banerjee alleged. She claimed the raid's true objective was to "snatch" the Trinamool Congress's poll strategy and its list of prospective candidates. In a rhetorical challenge, she asked, "What will happen if I raid the BJP office?"
Underlying Investigation and Escalating Tensions
This incident marks a significant escalation in the ongoing tussle between the Trinamool Congress-led state government and central investigative agencies. The ED's probe into I-PAC revolves around alleged financial irregularities connected to a broader coal mining scam. The agency's presence at a key political consultancy firm, especially one that has worked extensively with the ruling party in Bengal, has ignited fierce political controversy.
The day-long shadowing of federal agents by a sitting Chief Minister is a rare event in Indian politics, highlighting the deep mistrust and the high-voltage political battle in the state. The aftermath of this confrontation is likely to have significant repercussions on the political landscape in West Bengal and centre-state relations.
