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Rebel leader Ritabrata Banerjee asserted that the dissident faction is the real TMC, claimed support of 64 MLAs, and ruled out any merger with Congress amid Mamata Banerjee's meetings with Congress leaders.

Rebel Trinamool leader Ritabrata claims dissident camp is ‘real TMC’, rules out merger with Congress

Rebel leader Ritabrata Banerjee asserted that the dissident faction is the real TMC, claimed support of 64 MLAs, and ruled out any merger with Congress amid Mamata Banerjee's meetings with Congress leaders.

As Mamata Banerjee's meetings with the Congress leadership fuelled fresh speculation about the future of her embattled faction, rebel leader Ritabrata Banerjee on Wednesday claimed ownership of the Trinamool Congress itself, declaring that the dissident camp was the "real TMC" and had no plans to merge with the grand old party.
Claiming that the strength of the dissident bloc had risen from 58 to 64 MLAs, Ritabrata said the rebels enjoyed the support of a majority of the party's legislators and a growing number of MPs, and would continue to function under the Trinamool Congress banner.
"We are the real Trinamool Congress. We are not merging with the Congress," Ritabrata told reporters outside the state assembly.
His remarks came amid heightened political speculation following Mamata Banerjee's meeting with Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi and reports of consultations between Abhishek Banerjee and senior Congress leaders in the national capital.
The meetings have fuelled intense chatter in political circles over the future course of the diminished Mamata-led faction of the TMC at a time when the party is battling the biggest internal crisis in its 28-year history.
Ritabrata, however, dismissed suggestions that the organisation could become part of any Congress-led arrangement.
"The number of MLAs with us has already crossed 64. It may become 65 tomorrow when another MLA joins us. Naturally, we are the real Trinamool Congress. Who meets whom in Delhi is their matter and is immaterial for us," he said.
The rebel leader said a fresh communication reflecting the changed strength of the legislative bloc would be submitted to the Speaker.
He further claimed that the dissident camp commanded support not only among MLAs but also among MPs, local body representatives and district-level leaders.
"Most legislators are not merging with the Congress. Most MPs are not merging with the Congress. Many district leaders and local body representatives are also not merging with the Congress. Then where is the question of a merger?" he asked.
Ritabrata also reiterated that the rebel MPs in the Lok Sabha would continue to support the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance.
The statement assumes significance as 20 rebel TMC MPs have already informed Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla about the formation of a separate parliamentary bloc under the leadership of Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar and pledged support to the NDA.
The TMC's organisational crisis burst into the open earlier this week when a rebellion that had first fractured its ranks in the West Bengal Assembly spread to Parliament.
The parliamentary rupture came days after 58 TMC MLAs, a figure the rebel camp now claims has climbed to 64, defied the party leadership and backed expelled MLA Ritabrata Banerjee as Leader of the Opposition instead of the party's official nominee, Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay.
The twin rebellions have plunged Mamata Banerjee's party into arguably the gravest crisis since its formation in 1998, transforming what began as internal dissent into a battle over legislative strength, parliamentary numbers, organisational control and political legitimacy.
The split has steadily widened from the Assembly to Parliament, with senior Rajya Sabha members Sukhendu Sekhar Ray and Sushmita Dev resigning from both the Upper House and the party.
Against this backdrop, the Delhi meetings between Mamata Banerjee, Abhishek Banerjee and the Congress leadership have acquired added political significance, with speculation rife that sections of the TMC still loyal to the Banerjees could explore closer ties or a merger with the Congress.
Though neither side has publicly spoken of a merger, the meetings have generated enough political buzz for the rebel camp to repeatedly clarify its position.
Asked what would happen if Mamata Banerjee eventually decided to merge her faction with the Congress, Ritabrata avoided a direct answer.
"Tomorrow will answer tomorrow's questions. As of today, the number is 64 and counting," he said.
The remark underscored the fluidity of a political crisis that has already redrawn Bengal's political landscape and left the once-dominant TMC battling simultaneous challenges to its legislative strength, parliamentary presence and organisational coherence.
For now, while Mamata Banerjee's camp is engaged in conversations in Delhi, the rebel faction appears determined to send a different message from Kolkata -- that the fight is no longer merely over numbers, but over who gets to claim ownership of the TMC itself.

In an unprecedented development, 58 rebel TMC MLAs have taken control of the party's legislature wing, elected Ritabrata Banerjee as leader, and secured recognition from the West Bengal Assembly Speaker, deepening the crisis within the TMC.

58 rebel MLAs elect Ritabrata as LoP; Speaker accepts claim, formalising split in TMC

In an unprecedented development, 58 rebel TMC MLAs have taken control of the party's legislature wing, elected Ritabrata Banerjee as leader, and secured recognition from the West Bengal Assembly Speaker, deepening the crisis within the TMC.

The TMC on Wednesday suffered its first split in its 28-year history as 58 rebel MLAs elected expelled leader Ritabrata Banerjee as Leader of Opposition, wresting control of its legislature party, and secured recognition from the Assembly Speaker, plunging Mamata Banerjee's outfit into its gravest internal crisis since its inception.
Within hours, a rattled TMC leadership dissolved all party committees and frontal organisations across West Bengal in what appeared to be an attempt to regain political control amid a fast-escalating power struggle.
The dramatic rebellion, unfolding within two months of the party's crushing defeat in the assembly elections, exposed a deep rupture between the organisation and its elected legislators, raising questions over leadership, succession and the future direction of the party that has dominated Bengal politics for more than a decade.
The rebel camp, led by Ritabrata Banerjee and fellow expelled MLA Sandipan Saha, submitted letters of support from 58 legislators before Speaker Rathindra Bose, comfortably crossing the two-thirds threshold required under the anti-defection law for recognition as a separate bloc.
"Our claim has been accepted by the Speaker," Ritabrata Banerjee told reporters after meeting the Speaker.
Claiming legitimacy through numbers, he asserted that the dissidents now represented the real Trinamool Congress in the Assembly.
"The TMC legislative party is a team of 58 MLAs who won on the TMC symbol. We are the real TMC now in the Assembly," he said.
The Speaker's acceptance effectively formalised the first organisational rupture in a party founded by Mamata Banerjee in 1998 after her break from the Congress.
The dissident camp unveiled a new leadership structure, naming Ritabrata Banerjee as LoP and Akhruzzaman as chief whip.
Senior legislators and party old-timers Javed Ahmed Khan, Sandipan Saha, Sabina Yasmin and Shiuli Saha were appointed deputy leaders.
Several veteran TMC legislators joined the rebellion, including Samar Mukhopadhyay, Arup Roy, Rathin Ghosh, Javed Khan and Prasun Banerjee.
Yet, significantly, the rebels stopped short of directly challenging Mamata Banerjee's primacy.
In their communication to the Speaker, they continued to recognise her as chairperson of the Trinamool Congress while making it equally clear that they no longer accepted the authority of her nephew and party national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee in the functioning of the legislature party.
"We accept Mamata Banerjee as our leader but do not accept Abhishek Banerjee," a leader associated with the dissident camp said.
Seeking to soften the optics of the revolt, Ritabrata Banerjee even appealed to the former chief minister to guide the legislature party.
"We would request Mamata Banerjee to play the role of chief adviser to the legislative party," he said.
However, the Mamata Banerjee camp questioned the validity of the rebels' move, claiming that the communication to the Speaker was submitted on plain paper rather than the party's official letterhead.
It maintained that only the party chairperson and national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee were empowered to convey such decisions to the Assembly.
Unfazed by the challenge, Ritabrata Banerjee asserted that every step had been taken in conformity with parliamentary conventions and legislative rules.
The rebellion traces its immediate origins to the controversy surrounding the selection of the Leader of Opposition after the elections.
The dispute erupted when a proposal sent to the Speaker seeking recognition of senior TMC MLA Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay allegedly contained forged signatures of several legislators. The allegations led to an FIR and a CID probe.
What began as a procedural dispute soon snowballed into a battle for control of the legislature party and eventually into the biggest challenge to Mamata Banerjee's authority since she founded the party.
Recognising the seriousness of the threat, the Mamata Banerjee-led faction moved swiftly on the organisational front, announcing a comprehensive review of its structure and functioning before reconstituting all organisational units.
"After careful consideration, it has been decided that all committees of the All India Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, as well as all its frontal organisations, shall stand dissolved with immediate effect," the party said in a statement.
Significantly, Ritabrata Banerjee was state president of the TMC&rsquo;s trade union, whereas Abhishek Banerjee was the TMC national general secretary.
Political observers viewed the move as an acknowledgement that the crisis had gone beyond routine factionalism and entered the realm of a struggle for control of the party itself.
For many, the unfolding events carried unmistakable echoes of Maharashtra.
Like the Shiv Sena split engineered by Eknath Shinde in 2022 and the Nationalist Congress Party split led by Ajit Pawar in 2023, the Bengal rebellion has been built around numerical strength within the legislature party rather than control of the parent organisation.
But there remains one critical difference.
Unlike Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray, who was no longer alive when the Maharashtra split unfolded, Mamata Banerjee remains an active political force.
That perhaps explains why even her rebels continue to publicly acknowledge her leadership while simultaneously dismantling her authority within the legislature party.
The parallels nevertheless remain striking.
The architect of the rebellion is Ritabrata Banerjee, a former CPI(M) leader and Rajya Sabha member who once rose rapidly within the TMC after being expelled by the CPI(M).
The political beneficiary, many observers argue, is Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, himself once one of Mamata Banerjee's closest lieutenants before crossing over to the BJP and emerging as her fiercest rival.
The crisis also carries a layer of political irony that has not gone unnoticed by the opposition.
Both the CPI(M) and Congress said the TMC was now experiencing the same politics of defections that it had perfected after coming to power in 2011.
According to CPI(M) and Congress leaders, between 2011 and 2021, during the 16th and 17th Assemblies, at least 65 legislators from the Left and Congress camps crossed over to the Trinamool without any of them facing disqualification under the anti-defection law.
"History has come full circle," CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty remarked.
Senior TMC leader Kunal Ghosh, however, accused the dissidents of betraying the party at a difficult moment.
"These differences could have been resolved within the party. This is backstabbing," he said.
The BJP wasted little time in exploiting the turmoil.
"Mamata Banerjee has lost control of her legislative party. This is only the beginning," BJP IT department head Amit Malviya said in a social media post.
For Mamata Banerjee, the challenge now extends far beyond retaining organisational control.
The rebellion threatens to create two competing centres of authority within the TMC - one controlling the party apparatus including symbol and funds and another claiming legitimacy through legislative numbers.
The battle ahead is likely to be fought not merely over posts and positions but over the ownership of the TMC's political legacy itself.
For a party that once appeared inseparable from the personality and authority of its founder, Wednesday's developments marked a historic rupture.
The first split in the TMC since its inception has arrived not from outside but from within, opening a new and uncertain chapter in Bengal politics and raising existential questions about the future of one of India's most formidable regional parties.

The CBI has arrested Raj Kumar Singh, also known as Raj Singh, from Uttar Pradesh in connection with the murder of West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari’s personal assistant Chandrakant Rath.

CBI arrests key accused in murder of Suvendu Adhikari's aide from UP

The CBI has arrested Raj Kumar Singh, also known as Raj Singh, from Uttar Pradesh in connection with the murder of West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari&rsquo;s personal assistant Chandrakant Rath.

The CBI on Monday arrested Raj Kumar Singh, believed to be a key accused in the murder of West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari's aide Chandrakant Rath, officials said Monday.&nbsp;
Singh, who also goes by an alias of Raj Singh, was arrested from Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh by a team of CBI, they said.&nbsp;
Rath, the personal assistant to Adhikari, was shot dead in Madhyamgram on May 6, two days after the declaration of the fiercely contested West Bengal Assembly poll results.&nbsp;
The CBI has taken over the probe into Rath's murder from the West Bengal Police following a request from the state government.&nbsp;
The central agency has formed a seven-member special investigation team under a DIG of Special Crime from Delhi, comprising some of the best investigators drawn from its various units, the officials said.

The West Bengal cabinet has discontinued religion-based financial assistance, approved the ₹3,000-per-month Annapurna scheme for women, announced free bus travel for women, and set up two commissions to probe corruption and crimes against women.

Suvendu govt ends religion-based aid, sets up panels to probe corruption, crimes against women during TMC

The West Bengal cabinet has discontinued religion-based financial assistance, approved the ₹3,000-per-month Annapurna scheme for women, announced free bus travel for women, and set up two commissions to probe corruption and crimes against women.

Signalling a sharp policy shift, the West Bengal cabinet on Monday decided to discontinue religion-based assistance to imams and others, roll out the 'Annapurna' financial support scheme for women and set up two panels to look into cases of corruption and crimes against women during the TMC rule.
The cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, also approved free travel for women on government-run buses, the scrapping of the existing state OBC list and the constitution of the Seventh State Pay Commission to revise state employees' salaries upward.
Announcing the state government's decisions, Women, Child, and Social Welfare Minister Agnimitra Paul said all decisions will take effect starting June 1.
Later, Adhikari announced the formation of two commissions headed by retired judges of the Calcutta High Court to probe alleged institutional corruption and atrocities against women and girl children during the previous TMC regime.
The chief minister said the panels would also begin functioning starting June 1.
"The cabinet has approved the discontinuation of schemes based on religious categorisation. A notification on this will be issued," Paul said.
She, however, added that none of the existing scholarship schemes for students would be discontinued.
Following a Rs 500 hike in honorarium for religious leaders by the erstwhile Mamata Banerjee government in March this year, Imams of registered mosques in Bengal were granted a monthly stipend of Rs 3,000, while muezzins and purohits were provided Rs 2,000.
According to a notification from the previous TMC-led government, the assistance to religious leaders -sanctioned under budgetary provisions of the Departments of Information and Cultural Affairs, and Minority Affairs and Madrasa Education- aimed to support their socio-economic standing.
Acting on the BJP&rsquo;s pre-poll promises of enhanced financial assistance for Bengal's women, the cabinet approved the 'Annapurna' scheme, which provides Rs 3,000 in monthly support.
This scheme will replace the Mamata Banerjee government's existing Lakshmir Bhandar scheme, which offers Rs 1,500 in monetary assistance to women.
"Those currently receiving assistance under the previous government&rsquo;s Lakshmir Bhandar scheme will be automatically entitled to the Annapurna Yojna. There is no need to reapply for it. Money will be sent through direct bank transfer," Paul said.
The government would soon launch a web portal to facilitate fresh applications for the programme from those who had yet to receive the assistance, she added.
"Women who applied for citizenship under the CAA and those who approached the tribunals for inclusion of names in voter rolls will also be entitled to receive the Annapurna scheme benefit," the minister clarified.
Paul said the cabinet approved a proposal allowing free travel for women on government-run buses starting June 1, but added there were no immediate plans to increase the fleet size.
Later, while announcing the twin panels, Adhikari said, "We took these decisions in the cabinet today. During the election period, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had declared a chargesheet against the previous state government. There were two commitments made in the larger public interest of the people of the state."
Adhikari said that the panel to probe institutional corruption will be headed by retired Calcutta High Court judge Justice Biswajit Basu, with an ADG-rank IPS officer, Jayraman, as member secretary.
He said the panel would examine alleged irregularities in central and state welfare schemes, public construction works and service delivery systems.
"It will look into corruption, cut money, bribery, misappropriation of government funds and cases where common people have been cheated. Government officials, panchayat representatives, brokers, contractors, NGOs and cooperative bodies will all come under its ambit," Adhikari said.
He said complaints could be filed by members of the public and agencies involved in public works, and recommendations are expected within 30 days of the commencement of work.
"Based on their recommendations, FIRs will be registered, and action will be taken under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). We will also try to recover misappropriated government funds," he said.
The other panel, which will investigate atrocities against women and girl children, will be chaired by retired judge Justice Samapti Chatterjee, with IPS officer Damayanti Sen as member secretary.
"This commission will look into atrocities committed over the past several years in the state, particularly against women and children, including those from SC, ST and minority communities," Adhikari said.
He said the commission would operate a dedicated complaint system, including a portal, WhatsApp and email channels, and would also take up pending FIRs and general diary entries.
"The members will conduct field visits to police stations and districts, record statements and hold public hearings at the local level," he said.
Adhikari said the commission would also examine pending recommendations of institutions, including the National Human Rights Commission and other constitutional commissions, and could recommend reopening of cases, fresh FIRs, supplementary chargesheets and stronger prosecution measures where necessary.
Meanwhile, Paul said that the new BJP government would cancel the existing OBC list of the state in accordance with a 2024 Calcutta High Court judgment.
"The cabinet has decided on a revision of the state list of the OBCs, in cancellation of such categorisation of classes in such list and percentage of reservation for OBCs in the services and posts under the Government of West Bengal, as per the judgment of a division bench of the Calcutta High Court on May 22, 2024," she said.
The minister announced that the state will set up a panel to decide quota eligibility under the OBC category.
The state&rsquo;s OBC list controversy centres on the inclusion of 77 communities, 75 of which are Muslim, into the state's Other Backwards Classes (OBC) list, a process initiated during the TMC regime.
The decision sparked major political and legal battles, with the Calcutta High Court striking down the notice and invalidating nearly 5 lakh caste certificates issued by the state since 2010.
On the constitution of the Seventh State Pay Commission for upward revision of salaries of its employees, Paul said the scope of pay hike would also extend to the staff of statutory entities like civic bodies, local bodies, education boards and those working in state-run education institutions.
"The details of the commission&rsquo;s set-up will be duly notified," she said, without specifying its date of implementation.
In his pre-election campaigns, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had pledged that the new pay commission would be implemented within 45 days of the formation of the BJP government in Bengal.
She, however, confirmed that the issue of granting increased dearness allowance (DA) to state employees was not on the agenda of Monday&rsquo;s meeting.

Governor R N Ravi has officially dissolved the West Bengal Legislative Assembly with effect from May 7 following the completion of its five-year term.

Governor dissolves West Bengal assembly after completion of term

Governor R N Ravi has officially dissolved the West Bengal Legislative Assembly with effect from May 7 following the completion of its five-year term.

Governor R N Ravi has dissolved the West Bengal State Legislative Assembly with effect from May 7 after completion of its term, according to an official notification.
The current assembly was constituted in May 2021 after the Trinamool Congress, under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee, returned to power for the third consecutive term in the state.
The dissolution marks the formal completion of the tenure of the outgoing assembly, following the recently concluded two-phase elections.
The notification was issued by the Department of Parliamentary Affairs.

Police have launched a massive investigation into the murder of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari’s close aide Chandranath Rath, who was shot dead by bike-borne assailants in Madhyamgram.

Police examining CCTV footage, form teams to trace killers of Suvendu's aide

Police have launched a massive investigation into the murder of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari&rsquo;s close aide Chandranath Rath, who was shot dead by bike-borne assailants in Madhyamgram.

The police have been examining CCTV footage and have formed multiple special investigating teams to trace those involved in the killing of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari&rsquo;s close aide Chandranath Rath, a senior officer said on Thursday.
The police are also probing whether contract killers were engaged to murder Rath, who was shot dead in his car by bike-borne gunmen in the middle of a road at Madhyamgram in North 24 Parganas district on Wednesday night.
A forensic team visited the spot on Thursday morning and collected samples, while officers of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) also joined the probe, he said.
"Going by the circumstantial evidence, it seems that the murder was pre-planned. Investigators are examining CCTV footage from the crime spot and nearby areas, while multiple police teams have been formed to trace the assailants," the officer said.
"We are also examining videos taken using mobile phones by witnesses who also helped in taking Rath, his driver and the other person inside the SUV to the nearby hospital," he stated.
Since the crime took place some time after rain on Wednesday night, not many people were present on the roads leading to Rath's residential complex.
"We have spoken to those people who were seen in the CCTV footage," he said.
According to preliminary information, Rath's car was blocked by a vehicle near Doharia between Doltala and Madhyamgram Chowmatha between 10-10.15 pm on Wednesday when motorcycle-borne men arrived at the spot and fired at him from close range before fleeing.
Rath, 42, was returning to his residence in Madhyamgram from Kolkata when the incident occurred, he said. The deceased is survived by his son and wife.
The vehicle was being driven by Buddhadeb Bera, who also sustained bullet injuries and is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Kolkata, another officer said.
Bera, who underwent a couple of surgeries, remained "very critical", sources in the hospital said.
"Rath&rsquo;s car was intercepted around 100 metres from the housing complex where he lived," the officer said.
The small car was waiting for Rath's vehicle to arrive near the street, he said.
"Once the occupant of the small car found Rath's vehicle approaching, he drove it to block its way. And once his vehicle got stuck there, the gunmen put the firearms against the glass and started firing, fatally hitting the deceased," the officer said.
The occupants of the small four-wheeler later abandoned the vehicle and escaped on motorcycles, police said.
Police suspected that the killers fled on two motorcycles in two directions.
"One probably took the main road towards Jessore Road, while the other took a narrow street on the left leading to Rajarhat," the officer said.
Another police officer said CCTV footage showed the car travelling towards Madhyamgram before the attack.
Investigators said they are taking help from both Kolkata Police and Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate to check CCTV footage installed under their respective jurisdictions and study the movement of the killers.
"The number plate attached to the small car left by the assailants was found to be fake. The original one belongs to a person based in Siliguri, who works in a tea estate. The chassis number and engine number of the small car have also been erased. It indicates that they had planned the murder," he said.
The person in Siliguri is being interrogated by the local police.
"He is claiming to have uploaded a photograph of his vehicle on an online platform with the intention of selling it. We are verifying his claims and rechecking them," the officer said.
Later on Thursday, police found one of the two motorcycles allegedly used in the killing of Rath from near a tea stall around 4 km from the spot where the shooting took place, the officer said.
Preliminary investigation indicated that the motorcycle also bore a fake registration number.
Investigators also found that the chassis number had been erased, making it difficult to identify the owner, he said, adding that efforts to find out the second bike is on.
Police were suspecting the use of sophisticated firearms during the attack.
On Thursday, police recovered a bullet shell on the streets, 10 metres away from Rath's residence, the sleuth said.
According to preliminary forensic inputs, the assailants might have used Glock 47X pistols, he said.
"A weapon of this nature is generally not used by ordinary criminals. We are examining whether professional shooters were involved," a senior West Bengal Police officer said on condition of anonymity.
Meanwhile, one of the locals claimed to have seen three people on a bike "waiting" on the streets on Wednesday night.
"We did not know much about Rath. Whether he was an aide of Suvendu Adhikari was not known to us. He used to return home in the same car with a West Bengal Assembly sticker at the same time every day," he claimed.

Today's Chanakya exit poll projects a strong BJP performance in West Bengal and Assam, a DMK comeback in Tamil Nadu, and a close UDF-LDF contest in Kerala ahead of May 4 counting.

Exit poll predicts big BJP win in Bengal, Assam; return of DMK in TN, dead heat in Kerala

Today's Chanakya exit poll projects a strong BJP performance in West Bengal and Assam, a DMK comeback in Tamil Nadu, and a close UDF-LDF contest in Kerala ahead of May 4 counting.

A new exit poll on Thursday predicted that the BJP would win big in West Bengal and Assam, while the DMK would return to power in Tamil Nadu.
The Today's Chanakya poll also predicted a tight race in Kerala, forecasting 69 seats for the Congress-led UDF and 64 seats for the ruling LDF with a margin of error of nine seats.
Another exit poll by News18 for West Bengal, predicted a close fight with the BJP getting 143-163 seats and the TMC 127-147 seats.
Today's Chanakya forecast 192 seats for the BJP and 100 for the TMC in West Bengal with a margin of error of 11 seats. West Bengal has a total of 294 seats with the majority mark being 148.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, however, asserted that her party would win more than 226 seats and alleged that the exit poll projections were aired at the "instruction of the BJP" to demoralise TMC workers.
In Assam, Today's Chanakya forecast that the BJP would get 102 seats and the Congress 23 with a margin of error of nine seats. The Assam assembly has 126 seats with the magic mark being 64.
Today's Chanakya predicted that the DMK would return to power in Tamil Nadu but actor-turned-politician Vijay's TVK would have a stunning poll debut, beating AIADMK, to the second spot.
It predicted that the DMK plus would get 125 seats, TVK 63 seats and AIADMK plus 45 seats with a margin of error of 11 seats. The Tamil Nadu has a total of 234 seats with the magic mark being 118.
In Kerala, Today's Chanakya predicted a close contest, forecasting 69 seats (plus/minus nine seats) for the UDF, 64 seats (plus/minus nine seats) for the LDF and 7 seats (plus/minus four) for the BJP. Kerala assembly has 140 seats with the magic mark being 71.
Several exit polls on Wednesday predicted a thumping victory for the BJP in Assam and a clear edge for the party over the ruling TMC in West Bengal, while projecting a return of the DMK government in Tamil Nadu and a comeback by the Congress-led UDF in Kerala after 10 years.
However, some pollsters predicted a big win for the TMC in West Bengal and a hung House in Tamil Nadu with actor-turned politician Vijay's TVK emerging as a spoiler for the DMK.
Almost all forecast a return to power for the AINRC-led NDA government in Puducherry.
Most exit polls have had a chequered history and have been off the mark on several occasions in the past. Most exit polls do not spell out the methodology they have followed in arriving at their respective conclusions.
Axis My India on Thursday decided not to release its exit poll for West Bengal, saying it did not have enough data with many people not divulging their voting preferences.
The counting of votes for five assemblies -- West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala and Assam -- will be taken up on May 4.
Polls were conducted in a single phase in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry and Tamil Nadu. West Bengal saw two-phase polling on April 23 and 29.
On April 9, Assam, Kerala and Puducherry went to polls. Tamil Nadu went to polls on April 23.
While the BJP is seeking to retain power in Assam and Puducherry, where it is in an alliance government with All India N R Congress, the Congress is looking to wrest power from its rival in both these places.
In Kerala, the Congress-led UDF is seeking to replace the LDF government that is in power, while in Tamil Nadu, the DMK-led alliance is looking to retain power by thwarting the challenge from AIADMK-BJP and the debutant party -- Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam.
The TMC is looking to retain West Bengal and thwart the challenge from the BJP.

The BJP has criticised the gherao of judicial officers in West Bengal’s Malda as a “black spot”, while the Supreme Court termed the incident a failure of governance and directed an independent probe amid political tensions.

Attack on judicial officers 'black spot' in country's history, 'TMC goons' acted at CM's behest: BJP

The BJP has criticised the gherao of judicial officers in West Bengal&rsquo;s Malda as a &ldquo;black spot&rdquo;, while the Supreme Court termed the incident a failure of governance and directed an independent probe amid political tensions.

The BJP on Thursday termed the gherao and attack on seven judicial officers in West Bengal's Malda district a "black spot" in the country's history, alleging "TMC goons" acted at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's behest to obstruct the SIR exercise and protect Rohingyas.
The remarks came as the Supreme Court came down heavily on the West Bengal administration over its alleged inaction, describing the incident as "deplorable" and indicative of "complete failure" of governance.
BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia asked if Banerjee was "ashamed" of the top court's observations and would resign as the chief minister of the poll-bound state.
Seven judicial officers engaged in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls were gheraoed for several hours in West Bengal's Malda district over the deletion of names from the electoral rolls.
Security forces used batons to disperse the crowd and rescued the judicial officers, including three women, late Wednesday.
"This is Mamata Banerjee's 'jungle raj'. The TMC workers took judicial officers hostage at the behest of Mamata Banerjee. Such an incident never happened in the history of Bharat. It's unfortunate and a black spot," Bhatia said during a press conference at the party headquarters.
The seven judicial officers were doing their work, complying with the Supreme Court's directive, he said.
"It is sad that Mamata Banerjee, who has taken the oath of the Constitution, is taking judicial officers hostage in a blatant defiance of the Supreme Court orders. The intention is to scare the judicial officers as Mamata Banerjee wants to obstruct the SIR process," he added.
Bhatia alleged that Banerjee deployed her party workers to take the judicial officers "hostage" to protect the Rohingyas.
"Mamata Banerjee, who is supposed to protect the people of West Bengal and their rights, is standing by the Rohingyas. She loves Rohingyas," he charged.
"Every Indian is watching the 'jungle raj' in West Bengal under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and is concerned. People of West Bengal have made up their mind to oust TMC from power," the BJP leader added.
The Supreme Court, in a scathing observation, said the incident "exposes the complete failure of the state administration" and observed that West Bengal is the "most polarised state". It directed that an independent probe be conducted by either the CBI or the NIA.
The court also asked the Election Commission to &ldquo;requisition adequate Central Forces and deploy them at all places where judicial officers are adjudicating the objections&rdquo; in the ongoing SIR of electoral rolls.
Referring to the top court's observations, Bhatia said they "hold up a mirror" to the state.
"Are you ashamed, will you resign?" the BJP spokesperson asked Banerjee as he read out some of the observations made by the apex court. "If you are not capable of maintaining law and order in the state and upholding the Constitution, it will be good if you resign (as chief minister)," he said.
Elections to the 294-member West Bengal Assembly will be held in two phases on April 23 and 29. Votes will be counted on May 4.

Tension erupted in Murshidabad’s Jangipur area after clashes broke out between two groups during a Ram Navami procession, prompting heavy security deployment and patrols to restore order.

Clashes erupt during Ram Navami procession in Bengal's Murshidabad, security tightened

Tension erupted in Murshidabad&rsquo;s Jangipur area after clashes broke out between two groups during a Ram Navami procession, prompting heavy security deployment and patrols to restore order.

Tension gripped Jangipur in West Bengal's Murshidabad district on Friday after clashes broke out between two groups during a Ram Navami procession, police said.
The situation turned volatile after an altercation during the procession escalated into violence, with both sides throwing stones at each other and vandalising property in the area, a senior police officer said.
Security forces, which were deployed in large numbers to bring the situation under control, have been conducting route marches and maintaining vigil in the affected areas, he added.
"The situation is now under control. Adequate forces have been deployed, and patrolling is ongoing to ensure peace and normalcy. We are closely monitoring the situation and will take strict action against those involved in the violence," the police officer told PTI.
Meanwhile, authorities have urged residents to maintain calm as security has been tightened across the region, a senior official at the state secretariat said.

Violence broke out between BJP and TMC supporters during an election campaign in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas, leaving several injured, including a police officer, with eight detained.

BJP, TMC supporters clash in Bengal's South 24 Parganas; police personnel attacked

Violence broke out between BJP and TMC supporters during an election campaign in West Bengal&rsquo;s South 24 Parganas, leaving several injured, including a police officer, with eight detained.

Clashes broke out between BJP and TMC supporters during an election campaign by a saffron party candidate in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district, with several police personnel also coming under attack while trying to control the situation.
Eight people were detained in connection with the incident as raids were continuing in the area, an official said.
While both sides accused each other of being responsible for the clash, Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Agarwal sought a report about it from the police.
A sub-inspector-ranked police officer and three-four political party workers were beaten up during the clash as lathi-wielding men were seen chasing them on the busy road in Basanti Bazar area.
Sub-inspector Sourav Guha received a head injury and had several stitches, the official said.
Trouble began when BJP candidate from Basanti (SC) seat Bikash Sardar was campaigning in the area for the assembly polls to be held in the constituency on April 29, the second and final phase, the official said.
Tension flared after BJP workers allegedly objected to the video recording of the campaign by TMC supporters who had assembled by the roadside, and a heated argument soon escalated into a physical confrontation, the official said.
"As police intervened to disperse the crowd and restore order, the situation turned worse, and some personnel including the SI were attacked," the official said.
He said eight people were detained but did not specify their political identity.
Sardar claimed, "TMC goons carried out an unprovoked attack on our workers when we were peacefully campaigning in the area. Police were inactive."
Taking a serious view of the incident, Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Agarwal asked for a report from the police top brass and wanted to know whether central forces were already in place when trouble began in the area.
BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya said the brazen attack on his party workers showed how the ruling TMC has crushed all democratic principles in West Bengal and unleashed a reign of fear and terror to crush political dissent.
"We call upon the EC to take a serious note of the incident. TMC should know they cannot get away with all these," Bhattacharya said.
TMC leaders, however, accused the BJP of instigating the violence.
"The situation is now under control, and further investigation is underway," the officer added.

The Mamata Banerjee–Suvendu Adhikari rivalry shifts to Bhabanipur, turning the constituency into the epicentre of West Bengal’s 2026 election battle, with voter roll revisions adding a new political dimension.

Mamata vs Suvendu: Bhabanipur set for ‘mother of all electoral battles’ in repeat of 2021 rivalry

The Mamata Banerjee&ndash;Suvendu Adhikari rivalry shifts to Bhabanipur, turning the constituency into the epicentre of West Bengal&rsquo;s 2026 election battle, with voter roll revisions adding a new political dimension.

The political rivalry in Nandigram that defined West Bengal&rsquo;s 2021 assembly polls is set to return to centre stage in a new arena, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee locking horns with her protege-turned-adversary Suvendu Adhikari in Bhabanipur, turning the Kolkata seat into the likely epicentre of the 2026 electoral battle.
With the TMC supremo contesting from Bhabanipur and the BJP fielding Leader of Opposition Adhikari against her, the contest has quickly acquired the character of a prestige fight -- not merely for a seat in the Assembly but for political supremacy in a state where the rivalry between the two leaders has come to symbolise the broader TMC-BJP confrontation.
In the 2021 polls, Adhikari stunned Banerjee in Nandigram by a slim margin of 1,956 votes, a defeat that forced the CM to subsequently enter the Assembly through a by-election from Bhabanipur, a seat considered her stronghold.
Five years later, the duel has been relocated to that very bastion.
&ldquo;This time we will win Bhabanipur with the maximum number of votes,&rdquo; Banerjee said when asked about the BJP challenge, asserting that the saffron party would see its numbers decline in next month&rsquo;s election.
Political observers say the BJP&rsquo;s decision to field Adhikari from Bhabanipur, in addition to his traditional seat Nandigram, is a calculated attempt to convert the constituency into the symbolic battlefield of the election, recreating the psychological theatre of Nandigram but on the chief minister&rsquo;s home turf.
Bhabanipur has been one of the TMC&rsquo;s safest urban strongholds since the party came to power in 2011. The constituency houses Banerjee&rsquo;s residence and has repeatedly returned her to the Assembly.
After her defeat in Nandigram in 2021, senior TMC leader Shovandeb Chattopadhyay vacated the seat to allow Banerjee to contest the by-election. She returned to the Assembly with a commanding margin of more than 58,000 votes and nearly 72 per cent of the vote share.
Yet, in the run-up to the 2026 polls, Bhabanipur has unexpectedly emerged as a constituency under intense political scrutiny.
The SIR of electoral rolls has added a fresh political dimension to the contest. In Bhabanipur, more than 47,000 names have been removed from the voters&rsquo; list -- 44,786 at the draft stage and another 2,324 in the next level. Over 14,000 electors remain &lsquo;under adjudication&rsquo; pending judicial scrutiny.
The scale of deletions has acquired political significance as it is roughly 11,000 fewer than the over 58,000-vote margin with which Banerjee had won the bypoll in 2021, a comparison already fuelling competing narratives between the ruling TMC and the BJP over the potential electoral impact of the roll revision.
In contrast, around 11,000 names have been struck off the voters&rsquo; list in Nandigram, represented by Adhikari.
Banerjee has been a vocal critic of the revision exercise, alleging attempts to manipulate electoral rolls, while BJP leaders argue that the clean-up will make the contest more transparent.
For the BJP, fielding Adhikari from Bhabanipur is as much a psychological move as an electoral strategy.
Having already defeated Banerjee once in Nandigram&mdash;a symbolic stronghold of the TMC&rsquo;s land movement politics&mdash;Adhikari&rsquo;s candidature allows the BJP to frame the election as a direct leadership contest between the state&rsquo;s two most prominent political figures.
The BJP leadership has also been steadily building a narrative that Bhabanipur could become competitive in the changed political circumstances.
Adhikari and senior BJP leaders, including former state president Sukanta Majumdar, have made repeated visits to the constituency in recent months, signalling the party&rsquo;s intention to convert the seat into a prestige battle.
The Mamata Banerjee&ndash;Suvendu Adhikari rivalry represents one of the most dramatic political fallouts in Bengal&rsquo;s recent history.
Once among Banerjee&rsquo;s closest lieutenants and a key architect of the TMC&rsquo;s rise in the politically volatile Jangalmahal and coastal belts, Adhikari switched to the BJP ahead of the 2021 elections, triggering one of the most high-profile defections in state politics.
His victory over Banerjee in Nandigram became the defining moment of that election, even though the TMC swept the state with a thumping mandate.
The Bhabanipur contest now threatens to revive that narrative, potentially turning a single constituency into a symbolic referendum on the leadership of both camps.
More broadly, the face-off encapsulates the larger dynamics shaping the 2026 West Bengal elections.
The TMC is seeking a fourth consecutive term in office, banking on welfare schemes, organisational strength and Mamata Banerjee&rsquo;s personal popularity. The BJP, meanwhile, is attempting to revive the aggressive challenger role it played in 2021 by framing the election as a leadership contest against Banerjee.
Polling for the 294-member West Bengal Assembly is scheduled in two phases on April 23 and April 29.
But even before the campaign fully gathers momentum, political attention has already converged on Bhabanipur.
For the TMC, retaining the seat would reaffirm the CM&rsquo;s political dominance in her own backyard. For the BJP, wresting it would deliver a political shockwave far beyond the boundaries of a single constituency.
Either way, Bhabanipur has become the stage for what many in Bengal&rsquo;s political circles are already calling the &ldquo;mother of all electoral battles.&rdquo;

Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed confidence that the BJP will win the upcoming West Bengal assembly elections and vowed to expel infiltrators after forming the government.

BJP will win West Bengal polls, drive out every single infiltrator: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed confidence that the BJP will win the upcoming West Bengal assembly elections and vowed to expel infiltrators after forming the government.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday exuded confidence that the BJP will win the upcoming assembly polls in West Bengal, and &ldquo;drive out every single infiltrator&rdquo; from the state after coming to power.
Shah made the remark while addressing a function of the Sashastra Seema Bal in Araria district of Bihar, which falls in the Seemanchal region bordering West Bengal.
&ldquo;Elections are around the corner in West Bengal. I am confident that the BJP is going to win. Upon formation of the new government, we shall drive out every single infiltrator,&rdquo; he asserted.
&ldquo;The process of flushing out infiltrators will begin in Bihar, especially in the Seemanchal region. We had won the assembly polls here last year on this very issue. And, we got the mandate even though opponents were criticising our agenda,&rdquo; the home minister said.
Shah said infiltration is a threat to national security, and infiltrators also threaten the demographic balance of an area, feed on ration, and avail other benefits meant for common people.
&ldquo;Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Assam are the most vulnerable to such demographic disturbance. The Narendra Modi government is committed to maintain demographic balance,&rdquo; Shah said.
He began his speech by paying rich tributes to legendary freedom fighter and Hindutva icon Vinayak Damodar Savarkar on his death anniversary.
&ldquo;The Revolt of 1857 came to be seen as India&rsquo;s First War of Independence only after Savarkar... wrote a book asserting the same,&rdquo; Shah added.

West Bengal government moved a resolution over alleged harassment during electoral roll revision, but the Speaker rejected it citing the matter is pending before the Supreme Court.

West Bengal govt moves resolution in assembly over 'hardships' due to SIR

West Bengal government moved a resolution over alleged harassment during electoral roll revision, but the Speaker rejected it citing the matter is pending before the Supreme Court.

The West Bengal government on Thursday moved a resolution in the assembly over alleged hardships being faced by people due to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Moving the resolution under Rule 169, State Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shovandeb Chattopadhyay claimed that the SIR process led to harassment of voters and the death of 107 people due to anxiety over the exercise.
Criticising the Election Commission, he asserted it had &ldquo;turned into a commission of harassment&rdquo; ahead of the assembly polls in the state.
Speaker Biman Banerjee, however, rejected the proposal, contending that since the matter was pending before the apex court, the assembly could not deliberate on it.&nbsp;

Bombs and bullets were reported during a violent clash between two groups in Kolkata’s Golpark area on Sunday night. Two people were injured, and 10 arrests have been made as police investigate.

Kolkata Clash: Golpark Erupts in Violence, Bombs Hurled

Kolkata Clash: Golpark Descends into Violence

Bombs and bullets were reported during a violent clash between two groups in Kolkata&rsquo;s Golpark area on Sunday night. Two people were injured, and 10 arrests have been made as police investigate.

Bombs were hurled and bullets fired during a clash between two groups in Kolkata, leaving two persons injured, police said on Monday.
At least 10 people were arrested in the clash that broke out in south Kolkata's Golpark area under the Rabindra Sarobar Police Station limits on Sunday night, a senior officer said.
"The situation is now under control. Ten people were arrested early on Monday, and raids are underway to arrest others involved in the clash," he said.
The violence broke out on Kankulia Road around 8.30 pm on Sunday when a group of youths from another area entered the locality and were confronted by locals, he said, adding that "two persons were injured in the incident".
Stones were hurled from both sides, creating panic in the area, the policeman said.
"Crude bombs were thrown, and at least one round of bullets was fired during the clash. Empty cartridges and splinters have been recovered from the area," the officer said.
A mob later vandalised several motorcycles and made attempts to attack a police vehicle when security personnel arrived at the spot to disperse the crowd, he said.
A large police force was deployed to bring the situation under control, the officer said.
"CCTV footage from the area is being scrutinised to identify the miscreants," he said.
Locals alleged that the violence was aimed at asserting control over the locality.
A local Trinamool Congress leader visited the area and said, "Strict action will be taken against those responsible for creating panic and disturbing public order."
The investigation is underway, the police officer said.

The Supreme Court termed ED’s allegation against West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee as serious, stayed the FIR against ED officials, and agreed to examine limits of state interference in central probes.

Supreme Court calls ED allegations against Mamata Banerjee serious, stays FIR against officials

The Supreme Court termed ED&rsquo;s allegation against West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee as serious, stayed the FIR against ED officials, and agreed to examine limits of state interference in central probes.

The Supreme Court on Thursday described the ED's allegation that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee caused "obstruction" in its probe as "very serious" and agreed to examine whether a state's law-enforcing agencies can interfere with any central agency's investigation into any serious offence.
The top court stayed the FIR filed in West Bengal against ED officials who raided the I-PAC office and the residence of its director, Pratik Jain, on January 8 and directed the state police to protect the CCTV footage of the raids.
A bench of Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Vipul Pancholi issued notices to CM Banerjee, the West Bengal government, DGP Rajeev Kumar and top cops on the ED's petitions seeking a CBI probe against them for allegedly obstructing raids at I-PAC premises.
"According to us, adherence to the rule of law in the country and to allow each organ to function independently, it is necessary to examine the issue so that the offenders are not allowed to be protected under the shield of law-enforcing agencies of a particular state."
"Larger questions are involved and have been raised, which, if allowed to remain undecided, would further worsen the situation, and there will be a situation of lawlessness prevailing in one or the other state, considering that different outfits are governing different places," the bench said.
The apex court said a central agency has no power to interfere with the election work of any party. But at the same time, if central agencies are acting bona fide to investigate any serious offence, the question arises whether agencies can be restricted from carrying out duties under the shield of party activity, it said.
The matter is posted for further hearing on February 3.
Earlier in the day, the top court said that it was very much disturbed by the commotion at the Calcutta High Court during its hearing in the ED raids case.
The Calcutta High Court had adjourned till January 14 the hearing on petitions related to the ED's search and seizure operations at sites linked to political consultancy firm I-PAC, citing unmanageable chaos inside the courtroom.
As the hearing commenced, the ED said the West Bengal government's "interference and obstruction" during the probe agency's raids reflects a very shocking pattern.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the ED, told the bench that in the past also, whenever statutory authorities exercised statutory power, Banerjee barged in and interfered.
"It reflects a very shocking pattern," Mehta said while contending that this will only encourage such acts, and the central forces will be demoralised.
"The states will feel they can barge in, commit theft, and then sit on a dharna. Let an example be set, officers who were explicitly present there should be suspended," the solicitor general said.
Mehta submitted that there was evidence leading to the conclusion that incriminating material was lying in the I-PAC office.
"Let an example be set, and officers explicitly present there should be suspended. Direct the competent authority to act, and please take cognisance of what is happening. We are here to protect our officers' fundamental rights. We are acting under the law and do not seize for personal gains," he said.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal opposed Mehta's plea and said the case should be heard by the Calcutta High Court first, and proper hierarchy should be followed. He claimed the ED was filing parallel proceedings.
Sibal also referred to the video recording of the raid and said, "It is a blatant lie that all digital devices were taken. Allegation that CM Mamata Banerjee took all devices is a lie, substantiated by ED's own panchnama (search record)."
"The last statement in the coal scam was recorded in February 2024; what was ED doing since then? Why so keen in the midst of elections?" he posed.
The ED's plea in the apex court follows events from January 8, when ED's officials faced obstructions during the probe agency's raids at the office of political consultancy firm I-PAC in Salt Lake and the residence of its chief, Pratik Jain, in Kolkata in connection with a coal smuggling case.
The probe agency has claimed that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee entered the premises and took away "key" evidence related to the probe.
The chief minister has accused the central agency of overreach, while her party, Trinamool Congress, has denied the ED's allegation of "obstructing" its probe. The state's police have registered an FIR against ED officers.

Thousands of devotees participated in the Gangasagar Mela at Sagar Island, West Bengal, taking a holy dip in the Hooghly river confluence, with enhanced security and rescue drones deployed for safety.

Pilgrims Flock to Sagar Island for Makar Sankranti

Thousands of devotees participated in the Gangasagar Mela at Sagar Island, West Bengal, taking a holy dip in the Hooghly river confluence, with enhanced security and rescue drones deployed for safety.

Lakhs of pilgrims took a holy dip on Wednesday morning at the confluence of the Hooghly river and the Bay of Bengal in West Bengal's Sagar Island on the occasion of Makar Sankranti.
The pilgrims braved the winter chill to take a dip at sunrise and offered prayers at the Kapil Muni Ashram on the island in the South 24 Parganas district, where the revered Gangasagar Mela is underway.
The auspicious timing for the 'shahi snan' is scheduled to begin at 1.19 pm and will continue for 24 hours.
In view of the huge gathering from different corners of the country, the state government has made elaborate arrangements at Sagar Island, located around 100 km from Kolkata.
A senior official said that more people are expected to take a dip at the confluence of the sea and the Hooghly river, a distributary of the Ganga, as the auspicious timing for the 'shahi snan' is yet to begin.
Besides, security has also been beefed up across the districts, and at the railway stations and bus stands in Kolkata in view of the annual fair, he said.
For the first time, advanced water drones, also known as 'rescue drones', have been deployed for continuous surveillance along the shore, he said.
"These drones have been stationed specifically to enhance monitoring around Kapil Muni's Ashram and the main bathing ghats. These rescue drones are capable of carrying a load of up to 100 kg and quickly evacuating pilgrims in distress," he added.&nbsp;

The Enforcement Directorate has approached the Calcutta High Court seeking a CBI probe into alleged obstruction during I-PAC raids, accusing West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and others of seizing key evidence.

ED Seeks CBI Probe Against West Bengal CM for Obstructing Raids

ED Seeks CBI Probe: Mamata Banerjee Accused

The Enforcement Directorate has approached the Calcutta High Court seeking a CBI probe into alleged obstruction during I-PAC raids, accusing West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and others of seizing key evidence.

The Enforcement Directorate has approached the Calcutta High Court, seeking a CBI probe against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, senior police officials and others after facing obstruction during its raids in Kolkata against political consultancy firm I-PAC and its director.
PTI has reviewed the writ petition of the federal probe agency, wherein it has claimed that these actions led to a "complete takeover" of its search operation by the "state machinery".
There was "direct" involvement of the highest political executive and abuse of police power, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) alleged and demanded a CBI probe into the matter.
It urged the high court to "direct the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to register FIR(s) and investigate the entire incident, including the role of the present respondents being the chief minister, police officials, and all persons acting in concert".
The agency added that a probe by the CBI was essential as both the Calcutta High Court and the Supreme Court have consistently held that where the "high and mighty" in the state are involved in the commission of cognizable offences, investigation ought to be transferred to the CBI.
The ED also sought "immediate seizure, sealing, forensic preservation, and restoration to lawful custody of the ED" of all digital devices, electronic records, storage media, and documents "illegally and forcibly" taken away from the search premises.
The high court is expected to hear the petition next week.
The ED conducted a search at the Salt Lake office of I-PAC and the Kolkata residence of its founder and one of the directors, Pratik Jain, on Thursday as part of its probe into the alleged coal scam-linked money laundering case. Some other locations in the state and Delhi were also raided.
The federal probe agency had alleged in a press statement on Thursday that Banerjee entered Jain's residence on Loudon Street in Kolkata during the raids and "took away key evidence" and followed the same action at the I-PAC office.
It claimed the chief minister entered the premises despite a "categorical request being made (by ED officials) not to interfere with the ongoing search proceedings under PMLA."
"However, violating all law and order, Mamata Banerjee, with the aid of police personnel, forcibly took possession of all digital devices along with key incriminating documents from the possession of the authorised officer and left the premises around 12:15 PM," it said.
"The search was frustrated, and no seizure was therefore possible. The search was terminated for security reasons and could not be concluded," the ED said.
It claimed in the petition that about Rs 20 crore of hawala funds, generated from alleged coal pilferage in West Bengal, found their way to I-PAC. The organisation has been providing political consultancy to TMC and the state government since 2021.
"Concrete material found during the investigation revealed that at least Rs 20 crore worth of proceeds of crime was transferred to IPAC through hawala channels. In continuation of the ongoing investigation and to trace out the proceeds of crime and utilisation thereof, a search action was initiated against IPAC and certain other entities in relation to the coal smuggling case," the petition said.
ED officials claimed these Rs 20 crore worth "hawala" funds were moved by a Mumbai-based 'Angadiya' firm that got into the crosshairs of the agency during its probe into the Delhi liquor "scam" case involving the Aam Aadmi Party.
It was alleged by the ED that Rs 45 crore kickbacks generated from the Delhi excise policy "scam" were moved by the AAP for its 2022 Goa assembly election campaign. The agency claimed Pratik Jain "handled" IPAC operations in Goa.
The ED said its officials were "not allowed to perform their lawful duties."
It also urged the high court to pass an interim order restraining any access, deletion, cloning, or tampering with the seized digital devices and electronic records, as it sought protection against various FIRs filed by the local police against its officials for this operation.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee led a protest march against the Enforcement Directorate’s searches at I-PAC chief Pratik Jain’s residence and offices, accusing the Centre of misusing agencies.

I-PAC row: Mamata Banerjee hits streets, leads protest march in Kolkata against ED action

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee led a protest march against the Enforcement Directorate&rsquo;s searches at I-PAC chief Pratik Jain&rsquo;s residence and offices, accusing the Centre of misusing agencies.

West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee on Friday began leading a protest march against the Enforcement Directorate&rsquo;s searches at the residence and offices of I-PAC chief Pratik Jain.
Accompanied by senior party leaders, ministers, MPs, MLAs and a large number of supporters, Banerjee started the march from the 8B Bus Stand area, amid sloganeering against the BJP-led central government, accusing it of &ldquo;misusing central agencies for political vendetta&rdquo; ahead of the 2026 assembly elections.
The rally, which is proceeding towards Hazra More, follows Banerjee&rsquo;s dramatic visit on Thursday to Jain&rsquo;s Loudon Street residence during a search operation by the ED.
The chief minister had alleged that the agency was attempting to seize the Trinamool Congress&rsquo; internal documents, hard disks and confidential organisational data unrelated to any financial investigation.&nbsp;

The Trinamool Congress approached the Calcutta High Court seeking restraint on misuse of documents seized by the ED from I-PAC office and chief’s residence.

TMC Petitions Calcutta HC Against ED Raids on I-PAC Office

TMC Challenges ED Raids in Calcutta High Court

The Trinamool Congress approached the Calcutta High Court seeking restraint on misuse of documents seized by the ED from I-PAC office and chief&rsquo;s residence.

The Trinamool Congress on Friday moved the Calcutta High Court against the ED raids at the office of political consultancy firm I-PAC and the residence of its chief here, seeking restraint on &ldquo;misuse and dissemination&rdquo; of documents seized during the search operations.
The ruling party in West Bengal, in its petition, alleged that the ED seized sensitive and confidential political data meant for the TMC&rsquo;s use in the upcoming assembly elections, in a display of &ldquo;arbitrary, mala fide, and colourable exercise of power&rdquo;.
PTI has accessed the synopsis of the petition, which refers to the probe agency&rsquo;s search and seizure operations under Section 17 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, on January 8. The ED maintained that the operations were part of a probe into an alleged multi-crore rupee coal pilferage scam.
&ldquo;The petitioner submits that the seized articles and electronic data consist of confidential political data/information/documents relating to campaign strategy, internal assessments, research inputs, organisational coordination, and electoral roll-related data used for electioneering purposes in the forthcoming West Bengal Legislative Assembly Election, 2026,&rdquo; the TMC stated in its petition.
&ldquo;The said materials have no proximate, causal, or even remote nexus with any scheduled offence or alleged proceeds of crime, and do not fall within the scope of investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering, 2002,&rdquo; it said.
The Trinamool Congress alleged that the ED operations were aimed at &ldquo;unlawfully accessing and controlling the petitioner's electoral roll management, campaign planning, and political strategy, with the clear intent to disrupt a free and fair electoral process&rdquo; under the pretext of investigation.
&ldquo;Such targeted seizure amounts to an impermissible intrusion into the petitioner's right to privacy under Article 21 and its constitutional right to participate meaningfully in the democratic process under Article 19.
&ldquo;The petitioner apprehends grave prejudice, misuse, and dissemination of the seized data, which, if not restrained, would irreversibly damage the integrity of the electoral process and undermine constitutional democracy, warranting immediate intervention of this Hon'ble Court,&rdquo; the petition said.

Eight TMC MPs, including Derek O’Brien and Mahua Moitra, were detained by Delhi Police while protesting outside the Home Ministry against alleged misuse of probe agencies following ED raids on I-PAC.

TMC MPs Detained During Protest Against ED Raids in Delhi

TMC MPs Detained Over ED Raids Protest

Eight TMC MPs, including Derek O&rsquo;Brien and Mahua Moitra, were detained by Delhi Police while protesting outside the Home Ministry against alleged misuse of probe agencies following ED raids on I-PAC.

Trinamool Congress MPs on Friday staged a protest outside the Home Ministry's office in New Delhi against alleged misuse of probe agencies by the Centre following which they were detained by Delhi Police. TMC leaders claimed they were forcefully evicted from the spot when they were holding the protest.
The protest came a day after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) carried out raids at the office of political consultancy I-PAC and the residence of its chief.
A police officer said TMC MPs Derek O'Brien and Mahua Moitra along with other party leaders were detained and taken to Parliament Street Police Station. "They will be released shortly," the officer said, adding the protest was not permitted outside the Home Ministry's office due to prohibitory orders and security concerns.
Holding placards and raising slogans alleging misuse of the ED, eight MPs of the TMC tried to enter the Kartavya Bhawa, which houses the Home Ministry. The MPs were stopped from entering the building, after which they staged a protest at the gate. Later, they were forcefully evicted from the protest spot by the Delhi police, they said.
Party MPs O'Brien, Satabdi Roy, Mahua Moitra, Bapi Haldar, Saket Gokhale, Pratima Mondal, Kirti Azad and Sharmila Sarkar were among those who took part in the protest.
TMC leaders shared images of the MPs being forcefully removed from the site by Delhi Police, and slammed the Union government over it. "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?" the TMC charged.
"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!" TMC said.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday 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. Banerjee had termed the raids "political vendetta" and alleged misuse of central agencies to intimidate opposition parties.
TMC leaders have maintained that I-PAC, which provides political consultancy services to the party and manages its IT and media operations, was being targeted to gain access to sensitive internal documents. The party has announced protests against the ED action both in West Bengal and at the national level.

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