Kolkata : High drama unfolded in Kolkata on Wednesday as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) carried out raids linked to political consultancy firm I-PAC as a part of a money laundering probe. The ED conducted searches at two locations: the residence of Pratik Jain, a senior I-PAC functionary, in central Kolkata, and the firm’s office at the Godrej Waterside building in Sector V, Salt Lake. Jain is widely described as a key member of Mamata Banerjee’s poll strategy team.
As news of the raids spread, TMC leaders began assembling outside the Salt Lake office. Bidhannagar Police Commissioner also reached the spot amid rising tension. Banerjee, who was initially at one of the locations, later moved towards the Sector V office. Banerjee alleged that the ED raid was aimed at accessing her party’s internal political material. “It is most unfortunate that the ED came to our office to collect candidate lists, party strategy, plans and confidential documents,” the Chief Minister alleged.
The nasty and naughty Home Minister who cannot keep the country safe is behind this. Amit Shah wants to collect our party’s candidate list,” she said, adding that names were being deleted in one case while documents were being taken in another. She claimed that documents were taken without adequate safeguards. “They are taking my party documents. There were no guards. On one side there is the SIR case where names are being deleted, and on the other, they are collecting documents,” she said.
She said she personally intervened after learning about the raid. “I rang up Pratik because he is in charge of my party’s work. ED has raided my IT office in Sector V, so I am moving there as well,” Banerjee said, as she proceeded to the Salt Lake location. The Chief Minister has also called for a statewide protest at 4 pm today. “I will not comment on the raid. The ED will answer why the raid is going on. Mamata Banerjee has a history of disrupting the work of the central agencies.
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