New Delhi | January 9, 2026

A political confrontation unfolded in the national capital on Friday as Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders staged a protest outside Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s office in Delhi, following the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raidson the office and residence of Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) chief Pratik Jain in Kolkata. The protest escalated quickly when police detained several TMC leaders, including MP Mahua Moitra, who was seen being carried by Delhi Police personnel while vocally condemning the action.

Clad in her usual white attire, Moitra was heard repeatedly shouting, “Shame, shame, shame!”, as she was lifted and escorted by police officers from the site. According to a video clip shared by news agency PTI, Moitra also reaffirmed her party’s resolve in the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections, stating, “Bengal me hum jeetenge chahe ye jo bhi kar len” (We will win in Bengal no matter what they do).

TMC MP Derek O’Brien was also detained during the protest, highlighting the scale of the political standoff.

Background of the Protest

The protest in Delhi came in the wake of ED raids conducted in Kolkata on the office and residence of Pratik Jain, who serves as the head of TMC’s IT Cell, according to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The raids, which took place on Thursday, became a flashpoint when Banerjee herself reportedly turned up at Jain’s residence to prevent seizure of party-related documents and hard disks, claiming that these contained information on TMC candidates for the upcoming Assembly polls.

Banerjee alleged that the ED’s actions were politically motivated, aimed at gaining sensitive internal party data ahead of elections. She reportedly told media, “They were confiscating my party’s documents and hard disks, which has details about our candidates for the assembly polls. I have brought those back.”

In response, TMC leaders across the country mobilized, with the Delhi protest forming part of a broader political statement against what the party terms central government overreach and alleged misuse of investigative agencies for partisan purposes.

Police Action and Detentions

As the demonstration unfolded outside the Home Minister’s office, Delhi Police moved in to disperse the crowd and detain leaders to prevent escalation. Mahua Moitra, a vocal critic of the central government, was physically carried away by police personnel while continuing to shout slogans against the action. The dramatic images and videos of her detainment quickly circulated on social media, drawing widespread attention.

O’Brien, known for his sharp parliamentary interventions, was also detained alongside Moitra. Police sources stated that the action was taken to maintain law and order and ensure that protests outside ministerial offices did not disrupt official functioning.

Political Reactions

The TMC leaders portrayed the detentions as an attempt to intimidate the opposition ahead of state elections. Moitra’s dramatic vocal protests and O’Brien’s detainment have become symbols of resistance for the party, signaling their readiness to challenge the central government’s actions publicly.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced a protest rally in Kolkata on Friday, urging citizens to participate in a 5-km march from Jadavpur 8B bus stand to Hazra crossing. Banerjee framed the rally as part of the party’s broader campaign to resist what it terms “politically motivated central interference”, and she encouraged large public turnout to demonstrate support for TMC ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.

Broader Context

The TMC’s protest and the Delhi detentions must be seen against a backdrop of escalating tensions between state governments and central investigative agencies. In recent months, several opposition leaders have alleged misuse of agencies like the ED and CBI for political purposes, particularly ahead of elections. These allegations have repeatedly become flashpoints, drawing national attention and prompting debates about the autonomy of investigative bodies and the role of political leadership in law enforcement oversight.

In this case, the conflict has centered on allegations that the ED sought to seize documents containing sensitive electoral information from the TMC’s IT Cell. By staging protests in the national capital and mobilizing its leaders, the party has sought to highlight these actions as an attempt at political surveillance, framing them as part of a larger pattern of election-year targeting.

Implications for Upcoming Elections

TMC’s visible show of protest, including the dramatic detainment of senior MPs, underscores the party’s determination to project itself as a defender of democracy and civil liberties in the face of central authority. Analysts suggest that such incidents may energize the party’s voter base, particularly in West Bengal, where Assembly elections are imminent.

The Delhi protest also sends a signal to national audiences about TMC’s willingness to mobilize political leadership beyond state boundaries and challenge central government actions in a high-visibility manner. Videos and images of Mahua Moitra being carried by police are likely to dominate news cycles, potentially influencing both public perception and political narratives ahead of the polls.

Conclusion

Friday’s protest outside Home Minister Amit Shah’s office marked a significant escalation in the ongoing political tussle over the ED raids in Kolkata. Mahua Moitra’s dramatic detainment, coupled with the presence of other senior TMC leaders like Derek O’Brien, highlighted the intensity of opposition dissent and the party’s determination to contest what it perceives as central overreach.

With Mamata Banerjee calling for a large-scale rally in Kolkata, the situation remains dynamic, signaling that TMC will continue to use both legal and public protest avenues to resist actions it views as politically motivated.

The unfolding events provide a glimpse into the intersection of law enforcement, political rivalry, and election strategy in India, as state and central authorities navigate contentious political landscapes just months before crucial electoral contests.