New Delhi, Jan 8 (UNI) The Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Thursday accused the Centre of using central investigative agencies to intimidate the opposition and interfere in the political process in West Bengal, after party leader and Rajya Sabha MP Saket Gokhale alleged that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches aimed at accessing the party’s internal election preparations.
In a post on social media, Gokhale claimed that the ED on Thursday morning “seized documents containing details of potential candidates, election strategy and campaign plans” of the TMC. Describing the action as politically motivated, he alleged that the agency was acting at the behest of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and union Home Minister Amit Shah.
“Modi-Shah’s filthy tactics in Bengal have reached a new level. This morning, they are using their lapdog agency ED to steal documents with details of our potential candidates, our election strategy and our campaign plans,” Gokhale said in the post.
He further asserted that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party would not succeed in challenging the TMC leadership in the state through such means. “If the Gujarat Gymkhana duo thinks they can use agencies to fight Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee, they are very mistaken,” he said, adding that the people of Bengal would respond politically. Gokhale ended his statement with the slogan “Abar Jitbe Bangla” (Bengal will win again).
Reacting to the allegations, West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee accused the Centre of attempting to undermine federalism and democracy by repeatedly deploying central agencies against opposition-ruled states.
“They are afraid of Bengal and that is why they are misusing agencies like ED and CBI. We will not be scared. Bengal has always fought for democracy and will continue to do so,” Banerjee said, reiterating that her party would face any political challenge “with the support of the people, not through fear or force.”
The TMC has frequently alleged that central agencies are being weaponised against opposition leaders, particularly in states heading into elections. The BJP, however, has consistently rejected these charges, maintaining that agencies act independently and in accordance with law.
