TMC denies report claiming I-PAC has stopped operations in West Bengal

The All India Trinamool Congress on Sunday (April 19) has dismissed reports that political consultancy firm I-PAC has suspended its operations in West Bengal, calling the claim baseless and politically motivated.

TMC calls claims baseless

In a strongly-worded statement, the party said the report claiming I-PAC had halted its campaign activities for 20 days was "a deliberate attempt to create confusion on the ground." The party maintained that I-PAC's West Bengal team remains fully engaged with the AITC, with campaign operations continuing as planned across the state.

“We have come across a media report claiming that IPAC has ‘halted its operations in West Bengal for the next 20 days’. This claim is completely baseless and appears to be a deliberate attempt to create confusion on the ground,” the statement read.

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ED raids triggered the reports

The denial follows a report citing recent Enforcement Directorate action in an alleged coal smuggling case as the reason behind the pause. The report said I-PAC management had advised employees at its Kolkata office to take a 20-day leave, with a review scheduled for May 11. It also cited the arrest of I-PAC co-founder Vinesh Chandel in Delhi and searches at offices linked to the organisation in Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Kolkata.

TMC calls it political intimidation

The party's statement linked the reports to a broader pattern of intimidation targeting those working with opposition parties. TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee earlier described Chandel's arrest as a move that "sends a chilling message" to opposition-aligned political workers, alleging the timing undermines electoral fairness.

West Bengal's Assembly elections are scheduled between April 23 and 29, with vote counting and results on May 4. TMC said voters would "respond decisively" and see through what it called deliberate misinformation.

I-PAC, founded in 2013 by strategist Prashant Kishor, has advised several political parties over time. It shot to fame after the 2014 election for allegedly being behind the BJP’s successful party campaigns.