The political landscape in West Bengal witnessed a significant development on Thursday as officials from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) carried out coordinated searches at two key locations in Kolkata. The raids targeted the office of the political consultancy firm Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) and the personal residence of Prateek Jain, who serves as the co-founder and director of I-PAC and also heads the IT cell for the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC).
Details of the Enforcement Directorate Action
The searches commenced in the morning of January 8, 2026, with ED teams securing both premises. According to sources, the federal agency is investigating potential financial irregularities and alleged violations of foreign exchange laws. The focus of the raid at the I-PAC office reportedly included the seizure of electronic devices and documents. Simultaneously, at Prateek Jain's home, officials conducted a thorough search, scrutinizing digital records and other materials. The operation has drawn intense scrutiny due to I-PAC's historical association with political strategy and its work with various parties, including the TMC in the past.
Mamata Banerjee's Fierce Reaction
West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee launched a scathing attack on the central government in response to the raids. In a strongly worded statement to the media, she directly questioned the role of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the mandate of the ED.
"Is it the duty of the ED, Amit Shah to collect the party's hard disk, candidate list?" Banerjee asked rhetorically. She went further, accusing the Home Minister, stating, "The nasty, naughty Home Minister who cannot protect the country and is taking away all my party documents." Her comments, captured in a video shared by news agency ANI, underscore the escalating political tensions between the TMC and the BJP-led central government. Banerjee also hinted at political motivations behind the action, wondering aloud about its intended result.
Political Repercussions and Analysis
This incident is set to intensify the ongoing political feud in the state. The raids on a key political strategist's firm and a senior party functionary's home are viewed by the TMC as a direct assault by central agencies. Analysts suggest this could lead to:
- A major confrontation between the state and central governments.
- Further polarization of the political climate in West Bengal.
- Legal battles as the TMC is likely to challenge the ED's actions in court.
The development puts the spotlight back on the use of central investigative agencies in political arenas. With the TMC framing it as an overreach and an attempt to destabilize a regional opponent, the fallout from the January 8 raids is expected to dominate national political discourse in the coming days. The ED has yet to issue an official statement detailing the reasons for the searches or any findings.
