In a stunning turn of events on Thursday, January 8, 2026, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made a surprise visit to the residence of Pratik Jain, the current head of the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC). The visit occurred while the Enforcement Directorate (ED) was conducting a raid at Jain’s Loudon Street home in connection with a money laundering investigation.+1
This unprecedented confrontation marks a new low in relations between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the central agencies, just months before the crucial state assembly elections.
The ED Raid: What Happened?
Early Thursday morning, teams from the Enforcement Directorate, accompanied by central paramilitary forces, launched simultaneous searches at:
- I-PAC’s Head Office: Located in Salt Lake, Sector V, Kolkata.
- Pratik Jain’s Residence: In the upscale Loudon Street area.
Why the Raid? According to ED sources, the searches are linked to an alleged “Coal Smuggling Scam” and suspected hawala transactions. The agency is investigating whether proceeds of crime were routed through consultancy fees paid to I-PAC for its election management services in previous polls (including the 2022 Goa elections).+1
CM Mamata’s Dramatic Intervention
Around noon, breaking all protocol, CM Mamata Banerjee arrived directly at Pratik Jain’s residence while the ED officers were still inside.
- The Allegation: Emerging from the house with a green folder and hard disks in hand, the Chief Minister alleged that the ED was not looking for financial evidence but was trying to steal TMC’s election data.
- Her Statement: “They are seizing our candidate lists, internal surveys, and digital strategy for the 2026 Assembly Elections. This is not an investigation; this is data theft ordered by the Home Ministry to help the BJP,” she told reporters outside.+1
After leaving the residence, she also visited the I-PAC office in Salt Lake, further escalating the situation.
Who is Pratik Jain?
Many still associate I-PAC with its famous founder, Prashant Kishor. However, Kishor severed ties with the organization in 2023 to focus on his Jan Suraaj movement in Bihar.
- Current Role: Pratik Jain is one of the co-founders who took charge after Kishor’s exit.
- Significance: He is the brain behind TMC’s digital and ground strategy for the 2026 re-election bid. Any disruption to his team is a direct blow to the ruling party’s campaign machinery.
Opposition Reaction & Legal Fallout
The incident has triggered a massive political storm.
- BJP’s Stance: Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari termed the CM’s visit “unconstitutional interference.” He stated, “A Chief Minister barging into a crime scene to take away evidence is unheard of. The ED must move the court immediately.”
- ED’s Move: Reports suggest the central agency is preparing to file a petition in the Calcutta High Court, citing obstruction of official duty by the State police and the Chief Minister.
Why This Matters for 2026 Elections
I-PAC has been the backbone of TMC’s electoral success since the 2019 Lok Sabha setbacks. They manage everything from the “Duare Sarkar” (Government at Doorstep) campaigns to social media narratives. With the 2026 Assembly polls on the horizon, these raids could either cripple TMC’s strategy or give Mamata Banerjee a powerful “victim card” to rally voters against the Centre.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Why did the ED raid I-PAC offices?
The ED raided I-PAC in connection with a money laundering probe linked to an alleged coal smuggling scam. They suspect illegal funds were used to pay for political consultancy services.
Q2. Is Prashant Kishor still the head of I-PAC?
No. Prashant Kishor left I-PAC in 2023 to form his own political party, Jan Suraaj, in Bihar. The current director is Pratik Jain.
Q3. What did Mamata Banerjee take from the raid site?
The Chief Minister was seen carrying a green folder and claimed she recovered “internal party documents” and hard disks containing candidate lists and election data, which she alleged the ED was trying to seize illegally.
Q4. What is I-PAC’s role in West Bengal?
I-PAC (Indian Political Action Committee) is a political consultancy firm hired by the TMC to manage their election campaigns, data analytics, and voter outreach programs for the 2026 elections.
Q5. Can a Chief Minister enter a house during an ED raid?
Legally, an ongoing raid is a sensitive judicial process. Opposition leaders claim this was “interference,” while the TMC claims it was necessary to protect “political privacy” against misuse of power. The matter is likely to be decided in court.