Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is set to lead a protest rally on Friday, a day after a dramatic confrontation with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) during raids on the office and residence of political consultancy firm I-PAC in Kolkata. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo announced the rally as a demonstration against what she described as a politically motivated attempt to “loot” party documents and interfere with the TMC’s preparations ahead of the assembly elections.

According to reports, the rally will begin at Jadavpur 8B bus stand and proceed to Hazra crossing, covering over five kilometers. Banerjee has called on her supporters and citizens to join the march, emphasizing the importance of resisting what she termed an abuse of central investigative agencies for political purposes.

Claims of Political Vendetta

Mamata Banerjee described the ED raids as part of a broader strategy to undermine the TMC’s electoral preparations. She highlighted the role of Pratik Jain, TMC’s IT cell in-charge, whose residence and office were searched by the ED. Banerjee alleged that the agency seized hard disks, financial records, and other documents that contained sensitive data, including party strategies and candidate information.

“The ED raids were clearly a political vendetta,” she said, accusing the agency of systematically collecting information and poll strategies to weaken the party’s electoral prospects. Banerjee’s remarks came amid intense media coverage and a visible sense of chaos outside the I-PAC office, where some people were seen frantically moving files amid the crowd of journalists.

ED’s Version and Mamata’s Response

The chain of events on Thursday unfolded dramatically. Mamata Banerjee arrived at Pratik Jain’s residence during the ongoing ED searches. The agency accused the CM of interfering with the raids and attempting to remove key evidence, while Banerjee claimed that she was protecting party records from being confiscated.

“They have raided the residence of our IT chief. They were confiscating my party’s documents and hard disks, which contain details about our candidates for the assembly polls. I have brought those back,” she told reporters. Banerjee further asserted that the agency had “stolen everything, including all data and SIR lists,” pointing out that such raids often occur in the run-up to elections.

The ‘Naughty HM’ Remark

Mamata Banerjee did not hold back in criticizing the Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, labeling him “naughty” and accusing him of misusing central agencies to intimidate opposition parties. “This is not law enforcement. Is this how the nastiest and naughty Home Minister functions, who cannot protect the country and is sending agencies to harass before elections?” she said.

She also called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to rein in his Home Minister and conduct the elections in a fair, democratic manner. “You are using agencies to loot our papers, our strategy, our voters, our data, our Bengal… By doing all this, the number of seats you were getting will be reduced to zero,” Banerjee warned, underscoring the high-stakes political tension in West Bengal ahead of the assembly polls.

Visuals and Media Coverage

Footage from local news channels showed a chaotic scene at Pratik Jain’s office, with party workers and staff carrying files while media personnel asked questions. Banerjee was seen holding a green file containing documents, as she addressed the press and condemned the ED for allegedly trying to seize sensitive organizational material.

Observers noted that the confrontation illustrated the growing tension between the state government and central investigative agencies, especially in the politically charged context of West Bengal’s upcoming assembly elections. Mamata Banerjee’s strong language and visible anger during the encounter suggest that she intends to mobilize public opinion and turn the ED raids into a campaign issue for the TMC.

Background of I-PAC Raids

The ED searches are reportedly part of a money laundering investigation linked to a multi-crore coal pilferage scam. I-PAC, a political consultancy firm known for its data-driven election strategies, has been under scrutiny as part of the probe. The agency’s actions have drawn sharp criticism from the TMC leadership, who claim that the searches were timed deliberately to coincide with election preparations.

This is not the first time that central agency actions have become a flashpoint in West Bengal politics. The confrontation comes amid heightened tensions between the TMC and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government, with allegations of partisan use of investigative agencies surfacing in recent years.

Political Implications

Political analysts suggest that Mamata Banerjee’s protest rally is intended to achieve multiple objectives. First, it aims to mobilize her party base and supporters, demonstrating strong leadership in the face of perceived central overreach. Second, it seeks to frame the narrative of the TMC as a party being targeted for its electoral strength, potentially generating sympathy and support among voters. Third, it signals to the central government that any attempt to interfere in state politics could provoke significant public backlash.

The rally’s route from Jadavpur to Hazra crossing is symbolic, passing through key areas in Kolkata where the TMC has historically enjoyed significant support. The participation of citizens and party members is expected to underscore Banerjee’s claim that the central probe is an attempt to disrupt the democratic process.

Mamata’s Strategic Messaging

In addition to criticizing the ED, Mamata Banerjee has emphasized the autonomy and rights of her state government in managing political and administrative affairs. By linking the raids to election strategy and party data, she frames the issue not merely as a legal or financial investigation but as an attack on democratic processes.

Her comments on the Union Home Minister, combined with the dramatic visuals of her retrieving files, are likely aimed at garnering media attention and shaping public perception. Analysts note that such high-visibility actions serve to consolidate her image as a defiant and proactive leader capable of protecting her party’s interests.

Next Steps

The ED is expected to continue its investigation into I-PAC and related individuals, including Pratik Jain. Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee’s protest rally will proceed as planned, with the TMC urging citizens to join and demonstrate solidarity. The incident has already intensified political rhetoric in the state, with potential ramifications for party alliances, voter sentiment, and the narrative of election fairness.

As the West Bengal assembly elections approach, this confrontation highlights the highly charged political environment, where actions by central agencies are closely scrutinized and often interpreted through a political lens. The coming days are expected to see further exchanges between the TMC leadership and the central government, as both sides seek to influence public perception and consolidate political positions.

In conclusion, Mamata Banerjee’s protest rally following the I-PAC raids represents not only a direct challenge to the ED but also a strategic effort to energize party supporters, question the neutrality of central agencies, and project her leadership ahead of critical state elections. The episode underscores the intersection of politics, law enforcement, and electoral strategy in contemporary West Bengal, making it a focal point for both local and national attention.