Kolkata, 08 January (H.S.): West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee on Thursday called for a statewide protest against the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids on the office of I-PAC, the election strategy firm associated with the Trinamool Congress, and the residence of its head, Pratik Jain. Following Mamata Banerjee's instructions, protest marches were held at all block and ward levels at 4 pm on Thursday.

Mamata Banerjee termed the action as the BJP's politics of loot and plunder, saying that this fight is against the BJP's conspiracy and attack on democracy.

Since Thursday morning, the ED had launched a search operation at Pratik Jain's Loudon Street residence in Kolkata and the organization's office in Salt Lake. Around 11 am, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee herself reached Pratik Jain's house and later visited the I-PAC office in Salt Lake.

The Chief Minister alleged that the ED raided the Trinamool Congress's IT cell office and stole important information related to the party, including candidate lists and election strategies. Mamata Banerjee directly accused the BJP of being behind this, calling it a complete political vendetta and tantamount to the murder of democracy.

Speaking to reporters at 1:38 pm, the Chief Minister said that protest marches would be held at the block and ward levels against this incident. She clarified that all party leaders and workers, except those associated with the SIR (BLA), would participate in these marches. Mamata said, This protest is against the BJP's attack on the Trinamool, against the BJP's loot and plunder.

Warning the BJP, the Chief Minister said, If you have the strength, fight us head-on. If you think you can survive by removing names from the voter list, stealing data, and oppressing the people of Bengal, then remember—if Bengal becomes unstable, the entire country will become unstable.

Mamata Banerjee also said that she would remain present at the I-PAC office until Pratik Jain arrived at the Salt Lake office. She alleged that party documents and strategic information were stolen from the laptop through forensic means, which she termed a serious crime.

The Chief Minister also warned of filing an FIR against the ED for the alleged theft of documents. From the I-PAC office itself, Mamata Banerjee launched a scathing attack on the central BJP government and central investigative agencies, further escalating the political confrontation in the state.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey