High drama unfolded in Kolkata on Thursday when West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee arrived at the home of a Trinamool Congress (TMC) election strategist and the office of the political consultancy group I-PAC during an Enforcement Directorate (ED) raid, and emerged carrying several files. This unexpected turn of events has sparked considerable controversy and heated up the political atmosphere in election-bound Bengal, creating a new point of contention between the Mamata government and the BJP.
The day began with simultaneous raids by the ED on two locations linked to I-PAC (Indian Political Action Committee), founded by Prashant Kishor. Searches were being conducted at the Loudon Street residence of I-PAC head Pratik Jain and the consultancy group’s office in Salt Lake.
I-PAC has been associated with the TMC for years, playing a crucial role in the party’s dominance in the 2021 and 2019 assembly elections. Initially, Kishor handled the TMC’s election strategies, but when the political strategist parted ways to contest elections in Bihar, Jain took over the responsibility.
While the raids were underway, Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal became the first senior government official to arrive at Jain’s residence. Shortly afterward, Mamata Banerjee arrived. After a few minutes, she emerged, visibly agitated, carrying a green file.
Speaking to the media, an irate Mamata alleged that the ED’s action was “politically motivated” and carried out at the behest of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. She claimed the raids were conducted to gain access to Trinamool’s election strategy, the list of candidates for the 2026 elections, and confidential party documents. The Trinamool supremo alleged that the ED was trying to “steal files” related to the party’s election strategy.