A major political confrontation erupted in West Bengal on Thursday after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches at the office of the political consultancy I-PAC and the residence of its chief, Pratik Jain. The action, linked to an alleged coal scam, prompted immediate and fierce accusations from opposition parties, who claimed the ruling BJP at the Centre was weaponising central investigative agencies for political gains.
Opposition Unites in Condemnation, Points to Election Anxiety
The raid triggered a swift and sharp response from key opposition figures. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav declared that the move was a sign the BJP was "losing badly in Bengal" and called the search "the first proof" of the party's anxiety regarding the upcoming 2026 state assembly elections. He framed the action as a desperate political tactic.
Leaders from the CPM and the Congress also condemned the BJP's alleged misuse of agencies. However, they simultaneously raised pointed questions about the conduct of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during the search operation. Pradesh Congress president Subhankar Sarkar highlighted the curious timing of the raid, noting that I-PAC has been active in Bengal for years. "Are they trying to intimidate Pratik Jain? Are they trying to get hold of documents that Jain has?" he questioned.
Legal and Ethical Questions Raised Over CM's Actions
The presence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at Pratik Jain's Loudon Street residence during the ED search became a central controversy. CPM state secretary Mohammad Salim raised serious legal concerns, stating, "We saw her taking out files and laptops. We saw police loading documents in a Trinamool neta's car. That cannot be beyond question." He demanded that cases be filed against "errant officials and the CM" for their conduct.
Subhankar Sarkar further alleged that the entire episode was part of a BJP-Trinamool binary designed to divert public attention from critical issues like joblessness, inflation, and livelihood crises, as well as from the alleged harassment of Bengali-speaking people in other states. He referenced past scandals like Saradha and Narada, claiming Trinamool politicians had switched sides under similar pressure from central agencies.
BJP's Sharp Retort and Escalating Tensions
The BJP hit back with equal force. Leader of the opposition in the state assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, strongly criticised Mamata Banerjee's visit to the raid site, calling it "unethical, unconstitutional and direct interference" in an independent agency's investigation. This exchange underscores the deep political polarisation in the state, with the ED's action serving as a fresh flashpoint.
The Enforcement Directorate has not publicly responded to the barrage of allegations from opposition parties. As the war of words intensifies, the incident has firmly shifted the political spotlight onto Bengal, setting the stage for a heated and protracted battle in the run-up to the 2026 polls.
