Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched a sharp attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday, January 9, 2026, over her dramatic intervention during Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids at locations linked to the political consultancy firm Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) in Kolkata.
Speaking to reporters in Guwahati, Sarma described Banerjee's actions as "deeply concerning" and warned that they could significantly erode her public respect. Key excerpts from his statement:
- “The way she behaves, her conduct at the crime scene, the manner in which she took away official files, and the use of inappropriate language against the Home Minister are deeply concerning. Such actions are likely to erode public respect for her.”
- “I do not wish to comment further, but it is truly unfortunate if a serving Chief Minister resorts to such behavior, confiscating files and allegedly detaining individuals. This goes far beyond what is acceptable.”
The controversy erupted on Thursday when ED teams conducted searches at the residence of I-PAC chief Pratik Jain and the firm's office as part of an investigation into an alleged multi-crore coal pilferage scam in West Bengal. The raids triggered high drama when Mamata Banerjee arrived unannounced at the sites, accompanied by senior TMC leaders and state police, alleging that the central agency was attempting to seize sensitive TMC data ahead of the crucial 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.
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Banerjee accused the ED of overreach and claimed the searches were politically motivated. The ED, in turn, accused her and the state police of obstructing the investigation by forcibly removing "key evidence" and interfering with official proceedings.
Sarma's criticism comes amid heightened political tensions between the BJP-ruled Assam and the TMC-led West Bengal government. He further linked the issue to broader governance failures in Bengal, particularly on illegal immigration from Bangladesh:
- “It is very important to work extensively in Bengal, and it is necessary for our party to form the government there. Our team in Bengal is very strong; it just needs one opportunity.”
- He highlighted that while development has progressed in Assam and Tripura under BJP rule through strict measures against illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators, West Bengal continues to lag due to similar failures.
The I-PAC probe has also drawn connections to earlier cases, including the Delhi excise policy scam, where a related 'hawala' firm surfaced. TMC supporters have rallied behind Banerjee, with her reportedly stating after the raids, "If I am attacked, I am reborn," framing the ED action as an assault on her party.
The episode has intensified the BJP-TMC showdown ahead of the 2026 Bengal polls, with both sides accusing each other of misusing central agencies and state machinery for political gains. The ED maintains the raids were lawful and part of a larger financial irregularity investigation.
As the war of words continues, the incident has become a flashpoint in national politics, raising questions about federalism, agency independence, and the boundaries of political conduct during enforcement actions. Stay tuned for further developments in this high-stakes saga.
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