New Delhi, Jan 9: The Trinamool Congress on Thursday escalated its attack on the Union Government after Enforcement Directorate raids on Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC), with senior party leaders Derek O’Brien and Mahua Moitra among those detained during a protest near Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s office.
The protest, held outside Kartavya Bhawan, was led by several TMC MPs who accused the Centre of misusing central agencies to target political opponents. Police intervened and removed the protesters from the site.
Reacting to the police action, Moitra took to X and said, “Shameless Amit Shah using Delhi Police to drag us away from peaceful protest at Home Ministry.”
The TMC alleged that the Home Minister was attempting to suppress dissent through force. “Assaulting elected representatives to crush democracy,” the party said in a post, asking, “Is this how dissent is silenced in your India?”
In a strongly worded statement, the party accused Shah of arrogance and fear. “First, the shameless misuse of the ED. Now, an attack on the peaceful dharna of our eight MPs. This desperation exposes your fear,” the TMC said, adding that Bengal would not be intimidated.
Senior party leader Abhishek Banerjee also condemned the ED action and the police response. “Democracy is punished. Criminals are rewarded. Agencies are weaponised. Elections are manipulated,” he said.
In another sharp remark, Banerjee said, “JAIL the PROTESTERS. BAIL the RAPISTS. This is BJP’s version of New India,” asserting that while others may be forced to submit, “Bengal will resist.”
The ED raids on I-PAC have triggered sharp political reactions, with the TMC claiming the move was aimed at weakening the Opposition ahead of key political battles.
