West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday escalated her confrontation with the Centre following Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids linked to the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC), asserting that political attacks only strengthen her resolve.

Banerjee led a nearly 6-kilometre protest rally in Kolkata, beginning from Jadavpur and ending at Hazra, with senior Trinamool Congress leaders and party workers marching alongside her. Large crowds gathered along the route in a show of support.

Addressing party supporters after the rally, the Trinamool Congress chairperson defended her decision to enter the residence of I-PAC co-founder Pratik Jain during the ED raids on Thursday, an act that has drawn criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party and prompted demands for an investigation.

“I did nothing illegal. I went there as the Trinamool Congress chairperson,” Banerjee said, adding that several items had already been taken away by the time she reached the premises.

Allegations of misuse of central agencies

The chief minister accused the Centre of using agencies such as the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation for political purposes. Questioning the intent behind the raids, she said political opponents were attempting to weaken her party ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.

“If someone tries to kill me politically, don’t I have the right to defend myself?” she asked.

The ED action against I-PAC is linked to an alleged coal scam. Banerjee claimed that leaders from the BJP were also involved in coal-related irregularities and asserted that she possessed evidence. “I have proof on pen drives. I will release it when the time comes,” she said.

‘Politically rejuvenated and reborn’

Taking a combative tone, Banerjee said repeated attempts to target her had only made her stronger politically. “If someone tries to hit me politically, I get politically rejuvenated and reborn,” she declared.

Referring to recent political developments in other states, she alleged that central agencies had been used to destabilise elected governments elsewhere, adding that similar attempts would fail in West Bengal. She expressed confidence that the Trinamool Congress would secure a decisive mandate in the 2026 Assembly polls.

BJP hits back

The BJP accused the West Bengal government of corruption and claimed that the chief minister’s actions during the ED raids raised serious questions. Party leaders alleged that Banerjee had intimidated officials and demanded that she be made an accused in the case.

The political confrontation comes hours after several Trinamool Congress MPs, including Derek O’Brien and Mahua Moitra, were detained by Delhi Police while protesting outside Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s office. Banerjee criticised the detentions, describing the ruling party’s approach to democracy as one that demands “obedience”.

What began as repeated disruptions inside the Delhi Assembly has now moved beyond the House, with the Bharatiya Janata Party taking its protest against Aam Aadmi Party leader Atishi to the streets of the national capital.

On Friday, hundreds of BJP supporters, including members of the party’s Sikh unit, marched towards the AAP headquarters, raising slogans against Atishi and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal. Heavy police deployment was seen along the protest route as demonstrators attempted to move closer to the party office, escalating the political standoff.

BJP sharpens protest over remarks in House

The BJP said the street protest reflected mounting anger over what it termed “insensitive” remarks made by Atishi during a discussion related to Sikh Guru Tegh Bahadur in the Delhi Assembly. The controversy had already led to repeated disruptions during the Winter Session.

BJP MP Kamaljeet Sehrawat described the remarks as “shocking”, stating that Guru Tegh Bahadur’s sacrifice for his community and the nation could not be spoken of lightly. She said Atishi should apologise and step down from her position.

BJP MLA Kailash Gehlot also said the issue could not be dismissed, calling the remarks highly inappropriate and serious. Former Delhi minister and BJP leader Arvinder Singh Lovely joined the protest, terming the language used in the Assembly disgraceful and insulting to India’s spiritual heritage.

BJP MP Yogender Chandolia said the party would continue pressing for accountability, alleging that the remarks amounted to an insult to Guru Tegh Bahadur during an Assembly session. He said the BJP would not tolerate such statements and reiterated the demand for Atishi’s resignation.

Tension continues inside Delhi Assembly

Even as protests unfolded outside, the confrontation inside the Delhi Assembly showed no signs of easing. Four AAP MLAs — Sanjeev Jha, Jarnail Singh, Som Dutt and Kuldeep Kumar — were marshalled out of the House amid sloganeering and repeated disruptions.

AAP leaders accused the BJP of using the controversy to avoid discussion on governance-related issues. AAP MLA Sanjeev Jha said MLAs were punished for raising questions, alleging selective action by the Speaker. Jarnail Singh echoed similar concerns, claiming democratic norms were being undermined inside the Assembly.

Speaker orders forensic examination

Amid the escalating political row, Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta had earlier ordered a forensic examination of a video containing the alleged remarks attributed to Atishi. The matter has also been referred to the Privileges Committee, which has been directed to submit its report within 15 days.

According to the Delhi Assembly secretariat, the inquiry will examine both the authenticity and the context of the remarks as tensions continue between the BJP and the AAP.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has flagged an alleged connection between election-related activities in Goa and recent raids conducted at premises linked to the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) in Kolkata, according to officials familiar with the matter.

The searches are part of an ongoing probe into a suspected coal smuggling network and the alleged use of proceeds of crime during the 2021–22 Goa assembly elections. Investigators are examining whether funds generated through the illegal coal trade were diverted for political activities during the poll period.

Funds allegedly routed through hawala channels

Officials claim that money linked to the coal smuggling operation, allegedly headed by Anup Majee, was transferred using both domestic and international hawala routes. A Kolkata-based hawala operator, identified as R Kantilal, is alleged to have facilitated the movement of nearly ₹20 crore to Goa.

The alleged financial trail reportedly surfaced from WhatsApp chats recovered from an accountant connected to the coal syndicate. These messages are said to indicate the movement of funds towards election-related expenses.

Firms and individuals under scanner

According to the agency, money transfers were traced from Kolkata to an individual named Akshay Kumar, who told investigators that he was associated with firms identified as M/s Hertz and Pixelz. He reportedly claimed that these firms worked with I-PAC during the Goa elections.

The probe agency has also alleged that cash was routed through hawala channels to ASM Event and Tech Pvt Ltd, an event management company engaged during the election period. Investigators are examining the role of these entities in facilitating poll-related activities.

Alleged role of I-PAC personnel

Officials further claim that I-PAC director Pratik Jain was involved in overseeing operations in Goa and allegedly facilitated the transfer of funds connected to election work. The agency is continuing to scrutinise financial records, communication data, and statements as part of the investigation.

The probe remains ongoing, and officials said further action will depend on the outcome of the financial trail analysis and corroborative evidence.