New Delhi: The Trinamool Congress on Friday launched a sharp attack on the Union government after the Enforcement Directorate carried out searches at the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC), a political consultancy firm. The party accused the Centre of misusing central agencies and curbing democratic dissent.
In response to the ED action, a group of senior TMC leaders, including Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien and Lok Sabha MP Mahua Moitra, held a protest near Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s office at Kartavya Bhawan in the national capital. The demonstration, however, was short-lived as Delhi Police intervened and detained the protesting MPs, escorting them away from the area.
Reacting to the police action, Mahua Moitra took to social media platform X, alleging misuse of power. “Dragged away from a peaceful protest outside the Home Ministry. This is how dissent is treated,” she wrote, directly targeting the Home Minister.
The TMC escalated its criticism soon after, accusing Amit Shah of attempting to intimidate elected representatives. In a strongly worded post, the party alleged that democratic voices were being stifled through force and investigative pressure. “First the ED is unleashed, now MPs are removed from a peaceful dharna. This reflects panic and arrogance at the top,” the party said, asserting that such actions would not deter resistance in West Bengal.
TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee also weighed in, accusing the BJP-led government of selectively using law enforcement agencies. In a blistering statement, he claimed that protesters were being targeted while serious offenders were being protected, calling it the ruling party’s idea of governance. “Institutions are being turned into political tools and democracy is paying the price,” he said.
Banerjee further asserted that while pressure tactics may work elsewhere, Bengal would continue to oppose what he termed authoritarian measures by the Centre. The party reiterated its resolve to confront the Union government politically and legally.
The ED raids and the subsequent protest have once again highlighted the deepening confrontation between the BJP and the Trinamool Congress, adding another chapter to the ongoing political standoff between the Centre and the West Bengal ruling party.
