West Bengal’s political atmosphere turned charged after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee delivered a combative speech at a protest rally in south Kolkata's Hazra on Friday, responding to controversy surrounding her presence during the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) raid at the residence and office of political consultancy firm I-PAC head Prateek Jain on Thursday. The sight of Mamata leaving Jain’s residence with a green file in hand had triggered intense speculation, with the opposition questioning the legality and intent behind her actions.
Addressing the issue head-on, Mamata said she acted strictly in her capacity as the Chairperson of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC). “What I did yesterday, I did as the Chairperson of the party. I did nothing wrong,” she asserted.
Accusing the BJP of political vendetta, the Chief Minister alleged that central agencies were being used to steal Trinamool Congress (TMC)'s data and the party’s electoral preparations. “You came to steal all my data like a thief. If the Trinamool Congress is not protected, how will I fight for the people?” she said.
Her speech quickly escalated into a broader attack on the BJP leadership. Mamata urged party workers to intensify resistance at the grassroots, declaring, “We have tolerated a lot. No more.” She warned that any harm to women would be met with retaliation, stating that party workers would “take care of it” if “mothers and sisters” were hurt.
Reiterating her allegation that the ED raids were politically motivated, Mamata claimed the BJP, unable to confront the TMC politically, was trying to seize the party’s “election strategy” through central agencies.
Highlighting the scale of public participation, Mamata said she walked nearly 10.5 kilometres from Jadavpur to Hazra without realising the distance. Referring to a past attack on her at Hazra, she said the rally felt like a “rebirth.” She also spoke about her health, revealing that she still struggles with sleep following a head injury.
Expressing anger over alleged harassment by authorities, Mamata mocked what she described as selective application of rules, remarking sarcastically that historic figures were “excluded” while political slogans resurfaced during elections.
The strongest warning came toward the end of her speech. “You will stop me for one day, but I will reap the harvest of 100 days,” Mamata declared. She said that if imprisoned, she would expose her opponents before the world, adding, “An injured tiger is more dangerous than a healthy one.”
Mamata also renewed her attack on the Centre over pending GST dues, accusing it of withholding funds meant for Bengal’s development for four years. She asserted that the people of the state would deliver a fitting reply in the upcoming Assembly elections.
During the protest march, the Chief Minister had named BJP leaders Suvendu Adhikari and Jagannath Chatterjee, issuing a pointed warning that she possessed sensitive information stored on pen drives. Claiming restraint in the national interest, she said crossing the “Lakshman Rekha” would have consequences. Her remarks further fuelled speculation about the green file in her hands seen during the ED raid.
The TMC has described the ED searches as political vendetta and misuse of central agencies to suppress opposition voices. Party leaders said the struggle would continue both on the streets and through legal means, even as Mamata’s sharp rhetoric signalled an escalation in the political confrontation between the ruling party and the BJP in West Bengal.
Also read: Mamata leads Kolkata protest against ED raids at I-PAC
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