Political reactions have escalated following West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s protest against the Enforcement Directorate’s raid on the office and residence of political consultancy firm I-PAC in Kolkata. JD(U) National Spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan Prasad advised Banerjee to focus on governance rather than confronting investigative agencies, suggesting that her return to power seems unlikely due to the prevailing lawlessness in the state.
Uttar Pradesh Minister Narendra Kashyap supported the ED’s actions, emphasizing that investigative agencies would fulfill their duties if corruption was involved. Chhattisgarh Minister Tank Ram Verma criticized Banerjee for opposing the probe, stating that interference during an investigation is unacceptable and that the ED should be allowed to carry out its work without hindrance.
BJP spokesperson Preety Shekhar accused CM Banerjee of reacting out of political insecurity, highlighting the ongoing questioning of Prateek Jain, the director of I-PAC and associated with Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress IT cell, by the ED in connection with coal smuggling cases. The reactions come after a standoff between Banerjee and ED officials during the raids at I-PAC’s premises in Kolkata, with Banerjee planning a protest rally against the searches.
Chief Minister Banerjee is expected to lead the protest rally, further intensifying the political standoff between the Trinamool Congress and the BJP-led Centre over the ED’s actions. Opposition leaders stress the importance of allowing investigative agencies to function independently and without political interference.
