In a significant political development in Kolkata, the leader of the opposition in the West Bengal assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, has commended the Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials for their restrained conduct. This praise came after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee entered the office of the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) while the central agency was conducting searches there.
Adhikari's Take on the I-PAC Office Incident
Addressing a rally on Sunday that stretched from Jadavpur's 8B bus stand to Deshapriya Park, Adhikari detailed the events. He stated that during the search operation at the office of Trinamool Congress's election consultancy firm, I-PAC, and the residence of its head, Pratik Jain, the ED made a conscious decision not to obstruct the Chief Minister. Adhikari alleged that Mamata Banerjee wanted the ED officials to use force against her. "Then she would have filed a case against the agency," he claimed, adding that the ED officers took the correct step by allowing her to enter the premises. He also extended his appreciation to the CRPF personnel on duty for following the same approach.
Emphasising the nature of the entity under scrutiny, Adhikari remarked, "I-PAC is a corporate entity. There are allegations against the company and ED is investigating. I-PAC will have to face the probe." His comments framed the incident as one where the investigative agency acted with professionalism despite provocation.
BJP's Sharp Criticism of the Chief Minister
In contrast, the state president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Samik Bhattacharya, launched a strong critique of the Chief Minister's actions. He accused Mamata Banerjee of repeatedly interfering in investigations carried out by central agencies. Bhattacharya pointed out that this was the third instance of such direct interference by the CM.
"Once this happened with Rajeev Kumar, where she staged a protest. Again, she was present when action was taken against Firhad Hakim. This time the state's CM entered an office and declared it a party office," Bhattacharya stated. He underscored the gravity of the situation by asserting, "As a CM, she directly interfered in the criminal investigation process of a government investigative agency." This narrative positions the event as part of a pattern of obstruction.
Political Repercussions and the Road Ahead
The incident has intensified the ongoing political tussle in West Bengal between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the opposition BJP. The divergent reactions from key opposition figures highlight a strategic divide: one applauding the agency's tactical restraint to avoid a legal and public relations trap, and the other condemning the executive head of the state for allegedly undermining federal investigative processes. The fallout from the ED's search at the I-PAC office is likely to fuel further debates on the limits of political authority and the autonomy of central agencies, keeping the issue alive in the state's charged political atmosphere.
