KOLKATA/NEW DELHI – The political landscape of West Bengal shifted into high gear on Friday, January 9, 2026, as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee led a massive 6-km protest march through south Kolkata. The rally, which started at Jadavpur and ended with a fiery speech at Hazra, was a direct response to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids on the offices of I-PAC (Indian Political Action Committee) and its director, Pratik Jain.
Addressing the crowd, a defiant Banerjee declared, “If someone tries to hit me politically, I get rejuvenated and reborn,” framing the raids as an attempt by the BJP-led Center to “steal” the Trinamool Congress (TMC) election strategy ahead of the May 2026 Assembly polls.
1. The Raid that Sparked the Storm
The controversy began on Thursday, January 8, when the ED raided I-PAC’s Salt Lake office and Pratik Jain’s Loudon Street residence in connection with a 2020 coal smuggling case.
- The CM’s Intervention: In an unprecedented move, Banerjee personally visited Jain’s residence while the raid was active. The ED has since moved the Calcutta High Court, accusing the CM of “obstruction” and alleging she removed key evidence, including a laptop and a “green folder” containing sensitive party data.
- TMC’s Counter: Banerjee justified her actions as the party chairperson, claiming the ED was illegally seizing internal party documents and candidate lists.
2. Delhi Showdown: MPs Dragged and Detained
While the CM was on the streets of Kolkata, the battle reached the national capital. A group of eight TMC MPs, including Derek O’Brien, Mahua Moitra, and Saket Gokhale, staged a dharna outside Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s office.
- The Detention: Visuals of the MPs being physically dragged and shoved into police vans by Delhi Police went viral.
- The Allegation: Mahua Moitra accused the Home Ministry of using the ED as an “agent to steal information.” The MPs were detained at the Parliament Street police station for several hours before being released.
3. Legal War: Pen Drives vs. Defamation
The rhetoric reached a fever pitch as Banerjee directly accused the Leader of Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, and Home Minister Amit Shah of being the real beneficiaries of the coal scam.
- The “Pen Drive” Threat: Banerjee claimed she has “all the proof on pen drives” and will release them at the right time.
- Adhikari’s Legal Notice: On Friday evening, Suvendu Adhikari served a legal notice to the CM, demanding she produce evidence within 72 hours or face civil and criminal defamation proceedings. He called her remarks a “desperate attempt to divert attention” from the investigation.
4. I-PAC Breaks Silence: “Unsettling Precedent”
In its first official statement on Friday, I-PAC expressed “serious concerns” over the raids.
- Professional Integrity: The consultancy clarified that it has worked with parties across the spectrum, including the BJP, Congress, and AAP, and its role is strictly professional.
- Cooperation: Despite calling it a “difficult and unfortunate day,” the firm pledged full cooperation with the legal process.