Political Storm in Bengal: Mamata Banerjee Leads Massive Protest March Against ED Raids on I-PAC
January 9, 2026 – West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee took to the streets of Kolkata on Friday, leading a massive protest march against the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) raids on the offices and residence of political consultancy firm Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC). Thousands of TMC supporters, leaders, ministers, MPs, and MLAs joined the rally, raising slogans against the BJP-led central government for alleged misuse of central agencies ahead of the crucial 2026 assembly elections.
The march, starting from Jadavpur’s 8B Bus Stand and proceeding towards Hazra More in south Kolkata, marked a dramatic escalation in the ongoing confrontation between the state government and central probe agencies. Banerjee accused the ED of attempting to steal TMC’s internal data and election strategies, framing the raids as a politically motivated attack to weaken the opposition.
The Trigger: Dramatic ED Raids and Banerjee’s Intervention
The protests stem from Thursday’s (January 8, 2026) ED searches at multiple premises linked to I-PAC, including its Sector V office in Salt Lake and the Loudon Street residence of its director, Pratik Jain (also spelled Prateek Jain). The raids, part of a money laundering probe connected to an alleged coal smuggling scam from 2020, covered 10 locations across Kolkata and Delhi.
In a high-drama sequence, Mamata Banerjee made surprise visits to both sites during the ongoing operations. At Jain’s residence, she was seen exiting with files and electronic devices, which the ED later alleged were “key evidence” forcibly removed. The agency claimed the searches were proceeding peacefully until Banerjee arrived with a large police contingent, obstructing the probe.
Banerjee defended her actions vigorously, stating, “What I did yesterday was nothing wrong; they tried to steal my party’s data.” She likened it to self-defense: “If someone comes to kill me, don’t I have the right to self-defence?” The TMC chief further alleged that the ED was targeting confidential party documents unrelated to any financial irregularity, including candidate lists and strategies for the upcoming polls.
Street Power on Display: Rally Signals Election Mode
Friday’s rally showcased TMC’s organizational strength, with crowds chanting against “BJP’s misuse of agencies” and “assault on democracy.” Banerjee addressed the gathering, condemning the Centre’s tactics and vowing victory in 2026. “We will win the Bengal assembly polls,” she declared, accusing the BJP of similar manipulations in other states like Maharashtra.
Parallel protests erupted elsewhere: TMC MPs, including Mahua Moitra and Derek O’Brien, staged a dharna outside Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s office in Delhi, leading to their detention. Banerjee slammed the police action as “shameful.”
The ED approached the Calcutta High Court, seeking action against alleged obstruction by Banerjee and state police. Jain’s family filed complaints alleging theft during raids, while Kolkata Police registered cases against ED officials.
I-PAC’s Role: From Prashant Kishor to TMC’s Key Strategist
Founded by poll strategist Prashant Kishor, I-PAC has been instrumental in TMC’s electoral successes since 2021, including the assembly and Lok Sabha polls. Though Kishor parted ways earlier, the firm—now led by Jain—continues managing TMC campaigns, making it a vital asset.
Opposition parties view the raids as equivalent to targeting a party office, heightening concerns over agency misuse against non-BJP rulers. BJP leaders countered, alleging evidence tampering and calling for unveiling “frauds” linked to I-PAC.
Broader Implications: Heating Up Ahead of 2026 Polls
With West Bengal assembly elections looming, this episode underscores deepening Centre-state tensions. Banerjee’s street protest revives her trademark agitation style, energizing the base while portraying TMC as a victim of vendetta politics.
As legal battles unfold in court and political rhetoric intensifies, the I-PAC raids have set the tone for a fiercely contested 2026—where agency actions, data security, and federalism will dominate discourse.
