TMC Stirs Up in Delhi as ED Raids Spark Political Uproar

Tensions soared in Delhi on Friday as eight Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs staged a protest outside the office of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, objecting to the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) raid on the I-PAC office in Kolkata. The demonstration, which lasted only a short while, was broken up by Delhi Police, who escorted the MPs onto buses. The TMC accused the central government of undermining democracy and misusing central agencies for political purposes.

MPs Lead the Protest
The TMC MPs involved included Derek O’Brien, Satabdi Roy, Mahua Moitra, Bapi Haldar, Saket Gokhale, Pratima Mandal, Kirti Azad, and Sharmila Sarkar. They were vocally protesting the ED raid on the Kolkata-based political consulting firm I-PAC, which has been advising TMC on electoral strategy.

Mahua Moitra Slams Central Government
TMC MP Mahua Moitra alleged that the central government is using the ED as a tool against political opponents. She claimed that the raid aimed to seize documents, hard drives, and internal material connected to TMC’s political strategy.

Kirti Azad on the Fight Ahead
Kirti Azad warned that the BJP’s actions are insulting West Bengal and that the public will respond to such disrespect. After the protest was dispersed, TMC released a sharp statement questioning whether Delhi Police is now being used to suppress democratically elected representatives peacefully exercising their right to protest. The party charged that following the misuse of ED powers, even peaceful demonstrations are being attacked to stifle democracy.

Mamata at I-PAC Amid ED Action
Earlier, on Thursday in Kolkata, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee arrived at I-PAC chief Prateek Jain’s residence precisely when the ED action was underway. Banerjee claimed that the ED was attempting to seize sensitive TMC-related data, hard drives, and internal documents. In response, the BJP accused her of trying to protect evidence, with West Bengal BJP leader Samik Bhattacharya questioning what a constitutional office-holder hopes to shield by intervening during an investigation.

The incident highlights the rising political heat in the lead-up to West Bengal’s assembly elections, with opposition and ruling parties clashing over the use of investigative agencies and democratic space.