Mamata Banerjee’s Kolkata Rally Against ED Raids: A Political Firestorm Over I-PAC

Mamata hits the streets: Bengal CM leads Kolkata rally against ED raids on I-PAC; watch

In a dramatic escalation of tensions between the Centre and the West Bengal government, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee hit the streets of Kolkata on Friday, January 9, 2026, leading a massive rally in protest against the ED raids on the offices of Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC). The air in the city was thick with political tension as thousands of Trinamool Congress (TMC) supporters marched, their chants echoing a unified message: this is not just an investigation, but an intimidation tactic.

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The Spark That Ignited the Storm

The controversy began on Thursday, January 8, 2026, when the Enforcement Directorate launched a series of coordinated ED raids on multiple locations in Kolkata linked to I-PAC, including the residence of its director, Pratik Jain . The agency claimed the searches were part of an ongoing investigation into an alleged coal smuggling and money laundering case . However, the timing and target of these raids immediately raised eyebrows across the political spectrum.

The situation took a chaotic turn when CM Banerjee herself visited the I-PAC office during the raid. The ED later accused her of removing key official files from the premises, a claim she vehemently denies. In fact, the ED has now moved the Calcutta High Court, alleging that the Chief Minister “stole documents” and is seeking their return . This unprecedented accusation against a sitting Chief Minister has added a volatile new layer to the conflict.

Mamata’s Defiant Response and the Kolkata Rally

Far from backing down, Mamata Banerjee chose to confront the issue head-on. On Friday, she led a large-scale protest march through the heart of Kolkata, framing the ED raids as a politically motivated attack designed to cripple her party and access its internal data and strategies . Her core argument is that the central agency is being weaponized by the ruling party at the Centre to harass and destabilize opposition parties, especially in the crucial run-up to the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections .

Standing before a sea of supporters, Banerjee declared the actions of the ED as “totally unconstitutional,” positioning herself as a defender of federalism and democratic rights against an overreaching central government . This rally wasn’t just a protest; it was a strategic political mobilization to galvanize her base and project strength in the face of adversity.

Nationwide Backlash: TMC MPs Detained in Delhi

The protest was not confined to West Bengal. In a show of solidarity, senior TMC leaders, including firebrand MPs Mahua Moitra and Derek O’Brien, staged a demonstration outside the office of Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi . Their demand was simple: an immediate halt to what they term as the “misuse” of central investigative agencies.

Their protest, however, was short-lived. Delhi Police detained both Moitra and O’Brien, along with several other TMC parliamentarians, for violating prohibitory orders . This detention of elected representatives in the national capital further fueled the TMC’s narrative of political persecution and has become a key talking point for the party on the national stage .

What is I-PAC and Why is it a Target?

For those unfamiliar, I-PAC is a prominent political consultancy firm that has worked with various political parties across India, including the TMC. Its role typically involves data analytics, campaign strategy, and voter outreach—essentially, the modern machinery behind electioneering .

The connection between I-PAC and the TMC makes it a high-value target. If the ED can establish a link between the firm’s operations and any financial irregularity, it could have significant ramifications for the ruling party in Bengal. From the TMC’s perspective, a raid on I-PAC is a direct raid on their electoral war room, aimed at stealing their strategic playbook ahead of the 2026 polls . This context is crucial to understanding the intensity of Mamata Banerjee’s reaction.

The Political Chessboard Ahead of 2026 Polls

With the West Bengal Assembly elections scheduled for 2026, every move is being viewed through a highly partisan lens. The TMC sees the ED raids as a pre-emptive strike by its opponents to weaken its organizational structure and create an atmosphere of fear among its cadres and allies .

This confrontation is a classic example of the deepening chasm between the Centre and several opposition-ruled states. It raises critical questions about the autonomy of investigative agencies and the health of India’s federal democracy. For voters in West Bengal, this event will likely become a central plank in the upcoming electoral battle, with the TMC painting itself as the victim of a witch-hunt and the BJP (at the Centre) defending its agencies’ actions as purely legal and apolitical.

You can learn more about the historical context of Centre-State relations in India from this resource on the federal structure of the Indian government.

Conclusion: A Deepening Political Chasm

The rally led by Mamata Banerjee is far more than a reaction to a single law enforcement action. It is a potent symbol of the escalating political warfare in India. The ED raids on I-PAC have become a flashpoint, crystallizing the opposition’s long-standing grievances against the perceived misuse of central agencies. As the legal battles play out in the Calcutta High Court and the political battles rage on the streets and in the media, one thing is clear: the road to the 2026 West Bengal elections has just gotten a lot rockier. This event will be remembered as a key moment in the state’s contemporary political history, marking a definitive hardening of positions between the ruling party in the state and the Centre.

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