In a significant development following a day of high political drama, the Kolkata office of the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) witnessed a complete return to normalcy on Friday. This came a day after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made a surprise visit to the office during an ongoing raid by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Full Attendance and Enhanced Security Post-Raid
All 450 employees of the I-PAC office reported for duty, marking a 100% attendance rate. The office, located on the 11th floor of Godrej Waterside in Kolkata's Sector V, showed some visible changes in its security posture. Most notably, an additional police post was set up on the same floor, and identity cards of individuals were being checked intermittently.
Despite the full staff presence, I-PAC director Pratik Jain was reportedly not in the office on Friday. However, a major meeting was still conducted on Friday evening, indicating a push to restore regular operations.
Chief Minister's Direct Intervention
The impetus for the staff's return reportedly came from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee herself. Sources indicate that just before leaving the I-PAC office on Thursday, Banerjee inquired with director Pratik Jain about when the staff would resume work. The management informed her that employees had been asked to work from home. Following this discussion, a decision was taken to instruct all staff to report back to the office from Friday to "restore normal work" at the earliest.
An I-PAC employee, speaking on the condition of anonymity, revealed the underlying anxiety of the previous day. "There was an apprehension that ED would seal our office premises. We were relieved it did not happen. Most of us worked normally on Friday and even sent out press releases as on any other day," the employee stated.
I-PAC's Official Stance and Political Neutrality
On Thursday, amidst the raid, I-PAC had released a detailed statement defending its professional role. The consultancy firm expressed serious concerns, stating that the ED searches "raise serious concerns and set an unsettling precedent."
Nevertheless, the organization asserted its commitment to legal compliance: "Regardless, we have extended full cooperation and will continue to do so as required, engaging with the process in complete accordance and respect for the law."
In a clear effort to underline its apolitical advisory capacity, the statement outlined I-PAC's extensive portfolio. It highlighted its work with multiple parties across the ideological spectrum, including the BJP, Congress, AAP, TMC, DMK, YSR Congress Party, BRS, JDU, and Shiv Sena. The firm clarified, "We do not contest elections or hold political office. Our role is limited to transparent and professional political consulting, uninfluenced by differences in political ideology."
While describing Thursday as "a difficult and unfortunate day," I-PAC concluded its statement with a note of resilience. It affirmed an unwavering commitment to continue its work "unfazed and unperturbed with consistency and accountability," guided by its founding purpose.
