West Bengal – West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is set to lead a significant demonstration on Friday, January 9, 2026, following a dramatic confrontation with the Enforcement Directorate during raids on political consultancy firm I-PAC’s premises in Kolkata. The Mamata Banerjee protest rally will commence from Jadavpur 8B bus stand and conclude at Hazra crossing, covering over 5 kilometers through the city. The TMC supremo has called upon supporters and citizens to participate in this demonstration against what she terms as politically motivated searches by central agencies.
Details of the Mamata Banerjee Protest Rally Route
The Mamata Banerjee protest rally has been strategically planned to cover a substantial distance through Kolkata’s key areas. Starting from Jadavpur 8B bus stand, the procession will traverse more than 5 kilometers before reaching Hazra crossing. The chief minister has issued a public appeal urging people to join this demonstration, which comes immediately after Thursday’s intense standoff with ED officials. This Mamata Banerjee protest rally represents the TMC’s response to what the party leadership describes as systematic harassment by central probe agencies.
The ED Raid Controversy at I-PAC Office
The controversy erupted on Thursday when the Enforcement Directorate conducted searches at the residence and office of Pratik Jain, who Banerjee identified as the in-charge of Trinamool Congress’s IT cell. The raids were reportedly part of a money laundering investigation linked to an alleged multi-crore rupee coal pilferage scam. However, Banerjee has contested the nature and intent of these searches, claiming they were designed to access her party’s confidential electoral strategies and voter data ahead of the upcoming Bengal assembly elections.
Conflicting Accounts of Thursday’s Showdown
The dramatic events of Thursday saw conflicting narratives emerge from both sides. The ED accused the chief minister of storming into the residence during their operation and allegedly removing key evidence. Conversely, Banerjee maintained that the agency was confiscating crucial party documents, including hard disks containing information about TMC’s assembly poll candidates, financial records, and political papers. She defended her intervention, questioning whether she should not resist attempts to “steal” her party’s documents and falsely implicate her in cases.
Allegations of Political Vendetta Behind Mamata Banerjee Protest Rally
The primary motivation behind the Mamata Banerjee protest rally stems from allegations of political vendetta. Banerjee has characterized the ED searches as an orchestrated attempt to “loot” her party’s electoral strategy, voter lists, and organizational data. She pointed out the timing of such raids, noting they consistently occur immediately before elections. With West Bengal assembly polls expected in the coming months, the chief minister views these actions as deliberate interference in the democratic process rather than legitimate law enforcement.
Sharp Criticism of Union Home Minister
During her statements on Thursday, Banerjee launched a scathing attack on Union Home Minister Amit Shah, describing him as “naughty” and accusing him of misusing central agencies to intimidate opposition parties. She questioned whether this represented proper law enforcement, criticizing what she called “the nastiest and naughty home minister” who “cannot protect the country” but instead “sends agencies to harass before elections.” The chief minister directly appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to “control” his Home Minister and urged the government to defeat TMC “in a democratic way.”
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Chaotic Scenes at Pratik Jain’s Residence
Visuals from Thursday afternoon captured intense moments as Mamata Banerjee arrived at Pratik Jain’s residence while ED operations were underway. The scenes showed people frantically running with files amid media chaos and questioning. Banerjee herself was photographed holding documents in a green file cover while addressing reporters, claiming the ED attempted to seize sensitive organizational data. The chief minister stated that the agency had “stolen everything, all data, SIR list,” referring to strategic information required for electoral planning.
TMC’s Response and Future Implications
The Mamata Banerjee protest rally represents TMC’s organized response to what it perceives as systematic targeting by central agencies. Banerjee warned that such actions would backfire, stating that the government’s seat count would be “reduced to zero” through these tactics. She emphasized that the ED was attempting to access not just documents but the party’s entire electoral machinery, including candidate lists, voter databases, and poll strategies. As the Mamata Banerjee protest rally unfolds today, it marks a significant moment in the escalating confrontation between the West Bengal government and central agencies ahead of crucial assembly elections.
