By Khabar Rojana 
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids at the Kolkata office of political consultancy firm Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) on Thursday, triggering political tension ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections. The agency also searched the Loudon Street residence of I-PAC director Pratik Jain and several linked locations in the city.
According to officials, the raids are connected to a coal smuggling case registered earlier in Delhi. The investigation reportedly focuses on financial transactions and possible links between entities under scrutiny.
Meanwhile, Delhi Police detained Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra during a protest outside the office of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. TMC leaders and party workers were demonstrating against the ED action, alleging political targeting and misuse of central agencies. Several MPs joined the protest, demanding transparency and fairness in the investigation.
This marks the first time a private election management company has come under ED scrutiny, making the development politically sensitive. Opposition leaders compared the raids to searching a political party office just before elections, accusing the Centre of selective enforcement.
Founded by political strategist Prashant Kishor, I-PAC rose to prominence during the BJP’s 2014 Lok Sabha campaign. Over the years, it has worked with multiple political parties, including Nitish Kumar’s JD(U), Congress, YSRCP, Shiv Sena, AAP, DMK, and currently the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal. Since 2021, I-PAC has been advising the TMC on campaign strategy and voter outreach.
With elections approaching, the raids have intensified political debate in the state, raising concerns over the impact on campaign operations and electoral fairness. The ED has not yet issued a detailed public statement on the scope of the investigation.
Shalu Shalu