Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party-led central government on Thursday, January 8, 2026. Her fury was directed at the Enforcement Directorate for conducting searches at the offices of the political consultancy Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) and its chief, Pratik Jain.
Allegations of Political Vendetta and Espionage
Moitra did not mince words, framing the raids as a clear act of political vendetta orchestrated by the Centre. She described the action as nothing short of "political burglary and espionage" executed at the behest of the ruling BJP. The MP alleged that the real target of the searches was not any financial irregularity but the party's internal documents, electoral strategy, and crucial data.
She asserted that central investigative agencies were being blatantly misused as a tool to target the opposition, especially with elections on the horizon. This move, she claimed, was a strategic attempt to undermine democratic processes and gain an unfair advantage.
Defending Mamata Banerjee's Actions
In her fiery address, Mahua Moitra strongly defended the actions of West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee. She stated that Banerjee was absolutely justified in taking steps to safeguard party property from what she termed an illegitimate seizure.
Moitra referenced the alleged decade-old case cited by the ED as the basis for the raids. She countered this by invoking the principle of self-defence, arguing that the law permits actions to prevent theft. Her implication was clear: resisting what she sees as an orchestrated loot of political intellectual property is a legitimate response.
A Warning Against Undermining Democracy
The TMC parliamentarian concluded with a stern warning against the continued weaponization of central agencies. She emphasized that such actions pose a severe threat to the foundations of Indian democracy, where a level playing field is essential.
By framing the I-PAC raids as an attempt to physically and digitally loot campaign strategies, Moitra's attack highlights the escalating tensions between the BJP-led Centre and opposition parties like the Trinamool Congress. The incident sets a charged precedent for the political battles expected in the coming months.
