Kolkata, 08 January (H.S.):

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday took a dramatic step amid Enforcement Directorate (ED) search operations at the office of political consultancy firm I-PAC and the residence of its chief, triggering a major political controversy in the state.

As the searches were underway, the Chief Minister personally entered the I-PAC office and emerged carrying several files. While Banerjee claimed the documents belonged to the Trinamool Congress (TMC), allegations have surfaced that the files may contain evidence related to coal theft and other corruption-linked cases. The Chief Minister, however, accused the Centre of misusing central agencies to target her party.

According to sources, Banerjee first visited the Loudon Street residence of I-PAC chief Pratik Jain after learning about the raids and then proceeded to the firm’s office. During the search operation, she allegedly took possession of files, hard disks and a laptop from inside the premises. Visuals showed the Chief Minister holding documents as she exited the office.

Addressing the media, Banerjee said the files were related to her party and that the ED was attempting to seize confidential TMC documents. She alleged that the objective of the raids was to access sensitive political and strategic material linked to the ruling party. The Chief Minister asserted that she was compelled to enter the office herself to secure the documents.

Banerjee also launched a sharp attack on the Union Home Minister, alleging that central agencies were being misused for political vendetta. She questioned whether similar action would be taken against the strategic offices of other political parties in the future.

Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari accused the Chief Minister of obstructing the investigation and termed her actions unconstitutional. He maintained that I-PAC is a private entity and that investigating agencies have the legal right to carry out searches in accordance with due process.

The ED raids at I-PAC and the Chief Minister’s intervention have further escalated political tensions in West Bengal, with the issue fast turning into a broader confrontation between the Centre and the state government.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh