In a dramatic escalation of political hostilities in West Bengal, Leader of the Opposition and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari has publicly demanded the imprisonment of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The demand stems from an ongoing controversy involving the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and political consultancy firm I-PAC.
Adhikari's Explosive Allegations and Legal Claims
Adhikari, a key political rival of the Chief Minister, made these incendiary remarks on 11 January 2026. He asserted that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has already approached the Calcutta High Court in the matter. Crucially, Adhikari claimed that the central agency has named Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as the primary accused in its petition.
Furthermore, the BJP leader alleged that the ED is seeking a major development in the case: its transfer to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). This move, if accepted by the court, would signify a significant intensification of the probe and bring it under a different investigative agency.
A Political Vow: Defeat from Her Own Fortress
Going beyond legal accusations, Suvendu Adhikari merged his demand for judicial action with a direct political challenge. He vowed to personally defeat Mamata Banerjee in the electoral arena, specifically targeting her own assembly seat. This pledge sets the stage for a high-stakes, head-to-head contest in future state elections, transforming the legal battle into a deeply personal political duel.
Adhikari's statement is seen as a strategic attempt to keep the alleged IPAC-ED case in the public spotlight and mount continuous pressure on the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) government. The IPAC, or Indian Political Action Committee, is a well-known political consultancy that has worked with TMC in the past.
Implications for West Bengal's Political Landscape
This development is poised to sharply intensify the already bitter feud between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Trinamool Congress in the state. The allegations of a central agency naming a sitting Chief Minister as a primary accused are grave and could lead to a major constitutional and political standoff.
The situation presents multiple potential consequences:
- Legal Precedent: The Calcutta High Court's decision on the ED's reported plea will be closely watched.
- Political Narrative: The BJP is likely to use this as a central theme to attack the TMC's governance.
- Administrative Tension: Relations between the state government and central agencies may further deteriorate.
As of now, there has been no immediate official reaction from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee or the Trinamool Congress to Adhikari's specific claims regarding the ED's court petition. The political atmosphere in West Bengal remains charged, with this latest episode adding a new layer of controversy to the state's turbulent politics.
