ANI
20 Apr 2026, 23:32 GMT+10
Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], April 20 (ANI): Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Shashi Panja on Monday accused the BJP-led Central government of 'using agencies against every worker' of the party and noted that the India Political Action Committee (I-PAC) is 'our political strategist'.
She also referred to the statement of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, calling the BJP a party 'without direction and politics'
'We already said that IPAC is our political strategist and they are working smoothly for TMC. BJP and the central government used so many agencies against each and every worker of the party, and now they did the same with this one agency as well. This is what Mamata Banerjee said, the lost BJP, who has no direction and politics, or agenda for the development of Bengal, uses this sole strategy...,'Panja told ANI.
West Bengal BJP candidate from the Kharagpur Sadar Assembly constituency, Dilip Ghosh, on Monday called the India Political Action Committee (I-PAC) a 'means to promote corruption' in the State following the arrest of its director Vinesh Chandel in a money laundering case.
Ghosh told reporters, 'I-PAC should not remain. It increases corruption in politics here. I-PAC has become a means to earn money by promoting corruption.'
Slamming the Trinamool Congress ahead of Assembly elections, the BJP leader said, 'As soon as elections come, TMC remembers the employees, women, and the youth. The Central Pay Commission was implemented, and DA increases were implemented on time after Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power. Employees are harassed here.'
I-PAC Director Vinesh Chandel was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on April 13, under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, in connection with the alleged coal pilferage case.
Vinesh Chandel is the founder, director and 33 per cent shareholder of I-PAC, and was arrested after ED initiated an investigation based on an FIR registered by Delhi Police.
West Bengal unit of the I-PAC is engaged with campaigning for the ruling TMC for the 2026 State Assembly elections.
The case has led to a political row in West Bengal.
West Bengal Assembly Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari wrote to the Election Commission of India (ECI), alleging that I-PAC is 'systematically issuing Fake Press Identification Cards to TMC party workers,' and individuals who are not journalists are being 'disguised' as members of the media.
However, addressing a press conference in Kolkata, TMC MP Derek O'Brien said, 'We demand the immediate and unconditional release of Vinesh Chandel. We demand that central agencies be withdrawn from Bengal ahead of the pulse.'
O'Brien alleged that the ED was being used as a 'political tool,' claiming that its actions close to elections amount to 'electoral sabotage.' (ANI)
Get a daily dose of Kolkata Sun news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Kolkata Sun.
More InformationWASHINGTON, D.C.: A few days after Secretary Scott Bessent ruled out extending the pause on sanctions on Russian oil shipments to ease...
SHREVEPORT, Louisiana - It was a tragic day Sunday in Shreveport, Louisiana, when a gunman visited two homes on a killing rampage,...
LONDON, U.K.: A newly discovered 17th-century map sheds light on the exact location of William Shakespeare's hitherto unknown home...
TORONTO, Canada: A Canadian man who allegedly sold deadly substances online to people looking for help to commit suicide has agreed...
LONDON, U.K.: The war in Iran has erased more than US$50 billion in global oil output in less than two months, creating one of the...
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: A deepening jet fuel crunch linked to the Iran war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz is raising fears...
(New York) - The Indian government should immediately withdraw rules that would allow greater executive control over online content...
Mangaluru (Karnataka) [India], April 20 (ANI): The revival of shipbuilding activity at Chowgule Shipyard in Mangaluru has generated...
New Delhi [India], April 20 (ANI): Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday said people in both West Bengal and Tamil Nadu are fed up...
Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], April 20 (ANI): Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Shashi Panja on Monday accused the BJP-led Central government...
Salem (Tamil Nadu) [India], April 20 (ANI): Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) President Anbumani Ramadoss on Monday criticised Tamil Nadu...
Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], April 20 (ANI): A blistering maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) ton by Tilak Varma took Mumbai Indians...
