“Democracy Doesn’t Serve Those in Power”: Mamata Banerjee Leads Protest March Against ED Raids on I-PAC Offices

Kolkata/Delhi: The political climate in West Bengal intensified following Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids on the offices of I-PAC and its director. Accusing the ED of attempting to seize Trinamool Congress (TMC) electoral data, the party launched a strong political counterattack. While TMC MPs staged a protest in Delhi, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee personally led a protest march in Kolkata on Friday.

Mamata Leads from the Front
In a show of defiance, Mamata Banerjee, accompanied by senior TMC leaders, ministers, MPs, MLAs, and a large contingent of party supporters, marched from 8B Bus Stand towards Hazra More, chanting slogans against the BJP-led central government. Banerjee accused the central agencies of being misused for political vendetta. The Chief Minister was present at I-PAC offices after raids were conducted at both the offices and the residence of Prateek Jain, the organization’s head. Mamata alleged that the BJP was attempting to steal TMC’s internal strategies through the ED.

TMC MPs Protest in Delhi
Meanwhile, TMC MPs staged a protest in Delhi against the ED raids. Delhi Police detained eight TMC MPs, including Derek O’Brien, Shatabdi Roy, Mahua Moitra, Bapi Halder, Saket Gokhale, Pratima Mandal, Kirti Azad, and Dr. Sharmila Sarkar. The MPs were protesting the alleged seizure of internal party documents and data unrelated to any financial investigation.

High Court Hearing Deferred
Following high-voltage political drama, the Calcutta High Court postponed hearings related to the ED’s I-PAC raids to January 14. Justice Subhra Ghosh repeatedly asked unrelated individuals to vacate the courtroom, but the disturbance continued, forcing the adjournment.

Mamata Condemns Actions Against MPs
While leading the protest in Kolkata, Mamata Banerjee also condemned the treatment of TMC MPs in Delhi. She stated, “I strongly condemn the shameful and unjust behavior towards our MPs. Elected representatives exercising their democratic rights should not be dragged on the streets. Democracy is not the convenience or comfort of those in power. BJP leaders expect red carpets and special treatment when they protest, but opposition MPs are humiliated and detained. This double standard exposes BJP’s true view of democracy.”

The protest underscores rising tensions in West Bengal politics as the state heads toward upcoming assembly elections, with both the ruling TMC and opposition parties accusing each other of political misuse of central agencies.