The conflict between West Bengal’s government and the central authorities intensified recently, centered around the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) raids involving the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) and its co-founder, Pratik Jain.
Mamata Banerjee Leads Rally Against ED Raids
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee organized a significant protest rally in Kolkata in response to the ED’s actions. This rally came amid accusations from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that Banerjee is involved in corruption.
Judicial Proceedings Interrupted
During the ongoing courtroom proceedings, Justice Suvra Ghosh of the Calcutta High Court left due to excessive crowding. The case concerning these raids will not resume until Wednesday, as the court is closed over the weekend.
Details of the ED’s Allegations
- The ED conducted raids linked to a coal smuggling case on the previous Thursday.
- Banerjee allegedly took a laptop, phone, and documents from Jain’s residence during the operation.
- The probe agency claimed that she obstructed officials fulfilling their duties during the raids.
- A CBI investigation into Banerjee’s actions was also requested by the ED.
Trinamool Congress’s Counter-Petitions
In response to the ED’s allegations, Pratik Jain and the Trinamool Congress filed counter-petitions. They argued that the raids aimed to confiscate documents related to their electoral strategies for the upcoming Bengal Assembly elections, potentially benefiting the BJP.
The Rally Details
While the court was in session, Banerjee led a rally from Jadavpur to Hazra crossing, covering a distance of 6 km. She was joined by numerous party leaders and supporters, who lined the streets to demonstrate their backing.
BJP’s Counter-Accusations
The BJP responded to Banerjee’s protest, alleging that she is deeply entangled in corrupt practices. Senior leader Ravi Shankar Prasad stated that Banerjee should face accusations for intimidating ED officials. He implied that her actions were defensive, suggesting she aimed to conceal information that could implicate her and her party.
This escalating confrontation continues to draw widespread attention, as the political landscape in West Bengal remains charged ahead of the crucial elections.
