Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra on Thursday launched a sharp political attack following Enforcement Directorate (ED) search operations linked to political consultancy firm I-PAC and its key functionary Pratik Jain. Reacting strongly to the development, Moitra accused the BJP of using central agencies as tools of intimidation ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.
In a public statement on social media, the TMC leader alleged that the ED was being deployed to access confidential political material related to the ruling party’s election planning. Describing the agency as the BJP’s “intimidation machinery,” Moitra directly targeted Union Home Minister Amit Shah and issued a blunt warning, asserting that such actions would have political consequences.
She claimed that the searches were aimed at illegally obtaining internal party strategies, organisational documents, and candidate-related information in what she termed a desperate attempt to weaken the Trinamool Congress. Moitra asserted that her party would resist what she described as coercive tactics and emerge victorious politically.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also escalated her criticism, alleging that multiple agencies and BJP-backed digital platforms were being used to influence public opinion through misinformation. She claimed that advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, were being misused to distort narratives. While asserting that the TMC had exercised restraint so far, Banerjee warned that continued pressure would push the political battle onto the streets, to be fought democratically.
The ED, however, rejected the allegations of political targeting. In a clarification, the agency stated that the searches were part of a routine money laundering investigation and had no connection to any electoral process. The agency further claimed that unauthorised individuals, including those holding constitutional positions, had entered certain premises during the operation and removed documents unlawfully.
The BJP’s West Bengal unit backed the ED’s version, stating that the searches were evidence-based and linked to an ongoing probe into illegal financial networks, including suspected hawala transactions and proceeds of crime connected to coal smuggling. The party emphasised that no political party office was searched and that the action had no electoral motive.
