CPI(M) Calls ED Raid at I-PAC a Stage-Managed Exercise Ahead of Bengal Polls

Kolkata: The CPI(M) on Thursday alleged that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raid at the office of political consultancy firm I-PAC and the residence of its director Pratik Jain was a “stage-managed” exercise carried out with the tacit understanding of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the All India Trinamool Congress ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections.

“Drama over the raid is being done, but the truth will not come out,” CPI(M) West Bengal state secretary Mohammed Salim said. Questioning the political significance of Pratik Jain within the Trinamool Congress, Salim asked why the Chief Minister “had to rush to his residence and office during an ED raid.”

Addressing a press conference, Salim alleged that the real beneficiaries and key figures in the alleged coal scam were being shielded from investigation. “The kingpins in the coal scam are untouched. Central agencies are selectively acting while those at the top remain outside the probe,” he said.

Mohammed Salim further questioned the conduct of the Trinamool Congress leadership, asking why the Chief Minister would intervene in a raid involving a private consultancy firm. “I-PAC is a private company. If it is being raided, what compels the Chief Minister to be present there?” he asked, alleging political collusion rather than institutional concern.

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee dramatically visited the residence of I-PAC director Pratik Jain in south Kolkata and the firm’s office in Salt Lake during the ongoing ED raid, alleging that the agency was attempting to seize the Trinamool Congress’ internal documents, hard disks and data linked to its election strategy.

According to official sources, the Enforcement Directorate conducted searches at multiple locations linked to I-PAC and Pratik Jain as part of a money laundering investigation connected to an alleged coal pilferage scam. Raids were carried out at around ten premises, including locations in Kolkata and Delhi, with central paramilitary forces deployed at the sites.

Assembly elections in West Bengal are due in the first half of this year.