By Admin 
ED Raid In Kolkata: After the action of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, the political atmosphere has completely heated up. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has launched a scathing attack on the central agencies and the central government after the ED raid on the premises of Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC), a political consultancy firm linked to Mamata Banerjee.
He not only accused the ED of ‘stealing’ party documents, but also called Union Home Minister Amit Shah a ‘mischievous Home Minister’.
ED raids on locations linked to I-PAC
ED raided the residence of I-PAC senior officer Prateek Jain in Central Kolkata and the firm’s office in Godrej Waterside Building in Salt Lake Sector-5. Prateek Jain is considered an important member of Mamata Banerjee’s election strategy team. As soon as the news of the raid came out, Trinamool Congress leaders and workers started gathering outside the office in Salt Lake in large numbers.
Mamta Banerjee accused the Center
After the ED action, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee directly targeted Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He said that this entire action has been taken at the behest of ‘that mischievous Home Minister’, who is not able to keep the country safe. Mamata Banerjee alleged that the central government wants to collect the list of TMC candidates, party strategy and internal plans. He said that the ED was picking up documents from his party office and no guard was present there. Mamta raised the question whether it is the job of ED or Home Minister to seize political documents, list of candidates and party strategy?
Case of picking up files and keeping them in convoy vehicle
Amidst the allegations of document theft, a case of some files present in Mamata Banerjee’s office being picked up and kept in the vehicle of her convoy has also come to light. After this, questions are being raised as to what information was there in these files, which was saved in such a hurry. No official statement has come from TMC or ED on this yet.
‘Have come to steal the party’s strategy’
Speaking to the media, Mamata Banerjee alleged that the ED raid was conducted to access the internal political strategy of her party. He said that it is very unfortunate that ED is trying to come to the office related to IT sector and collect the list of candidates, party strategy, plan and other important documents. During this time, seeing the increasing tension, Bidhannagar Police Commissioner also reached the spot.
Old relationship between I-PAC and Mamata Banerjee
I-PAC has been Mamata Banerjee’s election strategist for a long time in West Bengal. I-PAC played an important role for Trinamool Congress in the 2021 assembly elections, due to which the party registered a big victory against BJP. After this, TMC had extended its agreement with I-PAC till 2026. I-PAC also provided strategic support to TMC in West Bengal in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
What is the political journey of I-PAC?
Indian Political Action Committee was started in the year 2013 as Citizens for Accountable Governance. This organization works to set agenda and make election strategy for political parties and leaders. In the year 2014, the concepts of campaigns like ‘Chai pe Charcha’, ‘Modi is coming’, ‘Ghar-Ghar Modi’ have been associated with I-PAC. Apart from this, I-PAC has prepared election strategies for different political parties in many states including Bihar, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal.