A fresh political controversy erupted in the national capital after the Enforcement Directorate carried out raids at Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC), a well-known political consultancy and election management firm. The development triggered an immediate backlash from the Trinamool Congress, which accused the Union Government of targeting political opponents through central agencies.
Soon after the raids, several TMC MPs, led by Derek O’Brien and Mahua Moitra, gathered outside the office of Union Home Minister Amit Shah at Kartavya Bhawan in Delhi to register their protest. The leaders raised slogans and demanded accountability, alleging that the action against I-PAC was politically motivated.
The protest, however, was cut short when Delhi Police intervened and detained the leaders. Derek O’Brien and Mahua Moitra, along with other MPs, were escorted away from the site, a move that further intensified the political confrontation. Visuals of elected representatives being taken away by police quickly went viral, drawing sharp reactions across political circles.
Mahua Moitra later reacted on social media, accusing the Home Minister of misusing the police to silence peaceful dissent. She stated that the protest was democratic and non-violent, yet was met with forceful action, which she described as an attempt to intimidate opposition leaders.
The Trinamool Congress also released a strongly worded statement, accusing the Centre of assaulting elected representatives to suppress democracy. The party claimed that the use of the Enforcement Directorate and police action against MPs showed desperation and fear within the ruling establishment. It further asserted that West Bengal would not be cowed down by pressure from Delhi.
Senior TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee also criticised the government, alleging that investigative agencies were being used as political tools. He said democracy was being undermined while those in power were protected, adding that his party would continue to resist what it sees as authoritarian tactics.
The developments have added to the growing tensions between the Trinamool Congress and the BJP-led Union Government. With the political climate already charged, the ED raids on I-PAC and the detention of opposition MPs have further sharpened the confrontation, raising serious questions about the use of central agencies and the space for dissent in the country.