ED–TMC clash reaches Amit Shah’s office as Mahua Moitra, other MPs detained during protest

The standoff between the Enforcement Directorate and the Trinamool Congress escalated further on Friday. This time, the political flashpoint reached the doorstep of Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi. The confrontation followed dramatic scenes in Kolkata a day earlier involving West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Early Friday morning, eight Trinamool Congress MPs staged a protest outside Amit Shah’s office. They sat on a dharna and raised slogans against the Centre. Soon after, authorities detained the MPs and removed them from the area.

Among those leading the protest were Mahua Moitra, Derek O’Brien, Satabdi Roy, Bapi Haldar, Saket Gokhale, Pratima Mondal, Kirti Azad, and Dr Sharmila Sarkar. The MPs held placards and accused the BJP-led government of targeting opposition parties through central agencies. One placard read, “Bengal rejects Modi-Shah’s dirty politics.”

According to TMC leaders, the protest aimed to highlight what they described as political vendetta ahead of elections. They alleged that the Centre uses investigative agencies to intimidate rivals and weaken regional parties.

The immediate trigger for the protest came from Enforcement Directorate raids in Kolkata on Thursday. The agency conducted searches at the residence of Pratik Jain, head of the Indian Political Action Committee, and at the organisation’s office. I-PAC provides political consultancy services to the TMC and manages parts of its IT and media operations.

As the searches unfolded, Mamata Banerjee arrived at the locations. She accused the agency of targeting her party. She also alleged that ED officials attempted to seize sensitive TMC documents. Visuals showed Banerjee moving past journalists and holding papers that she claimed belonged to her party.

Soon after, social media filled with videos and images from the scene. The chief minister described the raids as “political vendetta.” She directly attacked the BJP-led central government, under which the ED functions. She also aimed sharp words at Amit Shah.

“This is not law enforcement,” Banerjee said. She accused the home minister of misusing constitutional agencies before elections. She also referred to Shah as “naughty,” a remark that sparked strong reactions across political circles.

However, the Enforcement Directorate pushed back. The agency said the searches remained peaceful until the chief minister arrived with a large police contingent. ED officials stated that they followed due process and denied allegations of wrongdoing during the raids.

Meanwhile, the ED clarified the basis of its action. Officials said the searches linked to individuals accused of generating proceeds from coal smuggling. The agency maintained that the investigation followed financial trails and had no political motive.

Despite this clarification, the TMC continued to escalate the issue. Party leaders framed the raids as an attack on federalism and democratic dissent. They also connected the action to upcoming elections, especially in states where the BJP and TMC remain locked in intense rivalry.

As a result, Friday’s protest in Delhi marked a new phase in the ED–TMC confrontation. The issue has now moved from Kolkata’s streets to the national capital. With sharp accusations, detentions, and counter-claims, the political temperature continues to rise.

For now, both sides stand firm. The ED insists on the legality of its investigation. The TMC vows to resist what it calls misuse of power. The clash shows no sign of cooling in the days ahead.