TMC MPs protest over ED raids at I-PAC: Derek O'Brien, Mahua Moitra dragged away from outside Amit Shah's office, detained

Mamata Banerjee has accused ED of attempting to seize Trinamool Congress' internal data and election strategy during searches at the residence of I-PAC chief Pratik Jain and the organisation's office in Kolkata

New Delhi: Eight Trinamool Congress MPs on Friday morning staged a protest outside the office of the Ministry of Home Affairs in Kartavya Bhavan here, claiming misuse of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) following the raids at political consultancy I-PAC and the residence of its chief in Kolkata, but were detained.

West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool supremo Mamata Banerjee described the police action against the MPs as “shameful and unacceptable” and said dragging lawmakers on the streets for exercising their democratic right to protest outside the Home Minister’s office is “not law enforcement” but “arrogance in uniform”.

The MPs tried to enter the building around 8:40 am but were pushed out of the gate by security personnel posted there, following which they staged the protest outside. However, around 10 am, they were removed from the spot forcibly by the police, as they resisted their detention.

The lawmakers — Trinamool Rajya Sabha floor leader Derek O'Brien, Lok Sabha Deputy Leader Satabdi Roy, Mahua Moitra, Bapi Haldar, Saket Gokhale, Pratima Mondal, Kirti Azad and Sharmila Sarkar — were taken to Parliament Street Police Station. They were released around 3:45 pm.

“This is a democracy, not the BJP’s private property. Democracy does not function on the convenience or comfort of those in power. When BJP leaders protest, they expect red carpets and special privileges. When opposition MPs raise their voices, they are dragged, detained, and humiliated. This double standard exposes the BJP’s idea of democracy – obedience, not dissent,” Banerjee said.

“Let it be clear: respect is mutual. You respect us, we respect you. You drag us on the road, and we will drag you back to the constitutional idea of tolerance, dissent, and democratic morality. This is our India. We are citizens by right, not at the mercy of a chair, a badge, or a position of power. No government, no party, and no Home Minister gets to decide who deserves dignity in a democracy,” she added.

Gokhale claimed that Union Home Minister Amit Shah sent the "Extortion Directorate (ED) to steal our party documents, potential candidate list, and strategy documents" in Kolkata but Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee gave a "befitting reply" to them on the spot.

"Today, we were peacefully protesting outside Amit Shah’s office. We were dragged, assaulted and forcibly arrested. This is how scared Amit Shah is — pulling MPs by their hair and dragging them on the floor...We dare Amit Shah to use whatever dirty tactic he wants against us. If Shah has agencies, we have the people of Bengal backing us. Modi-Shah can never win against the people of Bengal," Gokhale said.

The protest in Delhi came hours before Banerjee was to hold a protest in Kolkata against the ED action. She had accused the ED of attempting to seize the Trinamool Congress' internal data and election strategy during searches at the residence of I-PAC chief Pratik Jain and the organisation's office in Kolkata.

As he was being detained, O'Brien told reporters, "(Home Minister) Amit Shah is indulging in 'vote chori' (vote theft)." Trinamool Congress on its official 'X' handle said, "What kind of arrogance is this Amit Shah? Are you now using your Delhi Police to assault elected representatives just to crush democracy? Is this how dissent is silenced in your India?"

"Admit it, you are rattled! First, the shameless misuse of the ED. Now, an attack on the peaceful dharna of our eight MPs. This desperation exposes your fear. You may try to choke democracy, but Bengal will not be cowed. Shame on you and your police!" it added.

Moitra said BJP’s "official 'darao dhamkao' (scare, threaten) arm Enforcement Directorate raiding consultants to illegally gain access to Trinamool strategy documents, candidate lists etc is last-ditch effort for 2026 Bengal. We will fight you and win Amit Shah . You will regret this."