Just days before the first phase of polling in West Bengal, the Kolkata office of political consultancy firm Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC),
where it has been managing the campaign of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), wore a deserted look. The development comes amid mounting pressure from investigative agencies and reports of internal disruption within the firm. Visuals from the firm’s main office in Salt Lake City showed locked doors and empty workspaces. Reports suggest that several employees have been asked to work from home. The situation aligns with a Saturday 'Email' sent by the company’s HR department, asking staff to take a 20-day break, citing “certain legal issues,” and to wait for further instructions after May 11, when election results will be announced.
“In view of certain legal issues, management has decided to pause operations in West Bengal with immediate effect. We fully respect the law of the land, are cooperating with the process, and are certain that justice will take its due course. In this backdrop, all employees and team members are requested to avail a short leave for a period of 20 days. At the end of this period, by 11th May, we will regroup, review the situation, and decide the next steps,” the email reads.
The sudden slowdown in operations has raised questions about the firm’s role during a critical phase of the election campaign, with polling scheduled on April 23 and 29.
ED Action Intensifies Ahead Of Polls
The developments come in the backdrop of action by the Enforcement Directorate against the firm’s leadership. One of its directors, Rishi Raj Singh, has been summoned to appear before the agency, while another director, Vinesh Chandel, has already been arrested.Earlier this year, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had clashed with the BJP over an Enforcement Directorate raid at I-PAC chief Pratik Jain’s residence in Kolkata. During the raid, Banerjee visited the premises and later stated that documents related to her party were among those seized.
She has since offered to provide jobs to I-PAC employees who are "tortured" by the Centre. “We are doing fine. All is well. There are young people in their twenties who work in these agencies. We mustn’t do anything to jeopardise their careers,” TMC Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien said at a press briefing in Kolkata on Monday.
With polling in West Bengal set to be held in two phases and results scheduled for May 4, the situation surrounding I-PAC has added a new layer of political tension in the state.
