West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday strongly criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the central government following Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids at the Kolkata residence of Pratik Jain, co-founder of the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC).
The chief minister’s remarks came amid heightened political tension after ED officials conducted searches at Jain’s home and other locations as part of an ongoing investigation. Banerjee reached Jain’s residence during the raid, triggering sharp reactions from the opposition, which accused her of interfering in a central agency’s probe.
Addressing the issue, Banerjee alleged that investigative agencies were being misused to intimidate political opponents ahead of elections. “If you cannot defeat us democratically, why are you coming to Bengal? You are using agencies to seize our data, our strategy, and our voters. By doing this, you will reduce your seat count to zero,” she said, according to ANI.
She further appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying, “I am sorry, Mr Prime Minister, please control your Home Minister.”
Allegations Over Electoral Roll Revisions
Banerjee also raised concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal, claiming that voter names were being deleted deliberately. She questioned the intent behind the process and warned of its implications for democracy.
“What will happen if we raid the BJP party office? On one side, voter names are being removed during SIR, and on the other, information about my party is being collected. Despite this, we are exercising restraint,” she said.
BJP Slams CM’s Visit as ‘Interference’
Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari condemned Banerjee’s visit to Jain’s residence during the ED search. He termed the move “unethical, unconstitutional, and a direct interference” in an ongoing investigation.
Adhikari stated that the central agency should take action in accordance with the law and criticised the presence of constitutional authorities at a site under active search operations.
Pratik Jain, the subject of the raid, is not only a co-founder of I-PAC but also serves as the head of the Trinamool Congress IT cell. The political consultancy firm has worked closely with the Trinamool Congress and the West Bengal government since the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
ED Responds to Allegations
Responding to the controversy, the Enforcement Directorate clarified that the searches were evidence-based and unrelated to any political party or election process. In a statement, the agency said searches were underway at 10 locations, including six in West Bengal and four in Delhi.
According to the ED, the investigation pertains to illegal coal smuggling and money laundering, involving the generation of cash and hawala transfers. “No party office has been searched, and the action is part of a routine crackdown on financial crimes,” the agency said.
The ED also alleged that certain individuals, including constitutional functionaries, unlawfully entered two of the premises during the searches and removed documents by misusing their position.
Investigations are ongoing.
