Kolkata, 08 January (H.S.): Senior Congress leader and former Leader of the party in the Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, on Thursday made serious allegations against political consultancy firm India Political Action Committee (I-PAC), claiming that despite being a corporate entity, it functions as the “eyes and ears” of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and is involved in “unethical and conspiratorial political activities” to ensure the party’s electoral success in West Bengal.

Reacting to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids conducted at I-PAC’s office and the residence of its chief, Pratik Jain, in connection with a money laundering investigation linked to the coal smuggling case, Chowdhury questioned why West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee appeared “restless and agitated” over action taken against a corporate organisation.

Chowdhury alleged that I-PAC controls the internal functioning of the TMC, including decisions on leadership positions and even influencing internal voting processes. He claimed that funds generated through these activities are routed to the TMC, while I-PAC retains a share for itself.

In a separate statement, the Congress leader alleged that on I-PAC’s advice, a well-known cricketer from Gujarat was fielded from the Muslim-majority Murshidabad constituency in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections to defeat him. He further alleged that I-PAC played a role in fomenting communal tension in Murshidabad with the objective of shifting Hindu votes in favour of the BJP.

Accusing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of “selective outrage”, Chowdhury said her strong reaction to the ED action was not against alleged excesses by the agency but aimed at protecting electoral interests overseen by organisations such as I-PAC.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh