TMC Denies I-PAC Operation Halt Amid ED Crackdown

The All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) has officially refuted reports suggesting that the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) has suspended its operations in West Bengal. In a statement released on Sunday, April 19, 2026, the party clarified that its election strategist remains “fully engaged” as the state prepares for the final phases of the 2026 Assembly Elections.

TMC’s Official Stance

The TMC dismissed a report (originally by Deccan Herald) claiming a 20-day halt in I-PAC activities as “completely baseless.” The party described these reports as a deliberate attempt to create confusion among voters and distract from the current electoral momentum.

• Ongoing Operations: The West Bengal unit of I-PAC continues to manage campaign logistics and strategy across the state.
• Election Timeline: The TMC urged supporters to stay focused on the upcoming polling dates of April 23 and April 29, with the final results scheduled for May 4, 2026.

⚖️ The ED Crackdown and Vinesh Chandel’s Arrest

The controversy stems from an intensifying investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) into alleged money laundering and a multi-crore coal pilferage scam.

• Arrest: On Monday, April 13, 2026, the ED arrested I-PAC Director and co-founder Vinesh Chandel in Delhi. Chandel, a 33% shareholder in the firm, is currently in 10-day ED custody.
• Allegations: The ED claims I-PAC was involved in laundering “proceeds of crime” worth approximately ₹50 crore, layered through hawala networks and bogus invoices.
• Political Reaction: TMC MP Derek O’Brien has demanded Chandel’s “immediate and unconditional release,” accusing the central government of using agencies for “electoral sabotage” just weeks before the polls.

⚔️ The “Mamata vs. ED” Legal Battle

The tension between the state government and central agencies reached a fever pitch earlier this year, leading to a high-profile case in the Supreme Court:

1. The January Incident: On January 8, 2026, ED raids at I-PAC’s Kolkata office were interrupted when Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee allegedly arrived at the site.
2. ED Allegations: The agency filed a petition in the Supreme Court, accusing the CM and top state police of “gross abuse of power” and “illegally barging” into the raid site to remove incriminating electronic devices and documents.
3. The Counter-Claim: The TMC maintains the raids were a pretext to access confidential election-strategy data. The Supreme Court has termed the allegations of obstruction “very serious” and is currently examining the matter.

The Big Picture: Despite the legal turmoil and the arrest of its top director, the TMC remains adamant that its “war room” (I-PAC) is functioning at full capacity to ensure a third consecutive victory for Mamata Banerjee.