‘Level playing field shaken’: Abhishek Banerjee slams ED arrest of I-PAC co-founder ahead of Bengal polls

What’s the case?

Chandel was arrested in Delhi under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in connection with an alleged coal scam in West Bengal.

The ED had earlier conducted raids across multiple cities, including Chandel’s premises in Delhi and locations linked to I-PAC co-founder Rishi Raj Singh in Bengaluru.

Searches were also carried out at the Mumbai residence of Vijay Nair and at I-PAC’s Kolkata office, along with the home of its director Pratik Jain.

Arrested I-PAC co-founder Vinesh Chandel. Photo: Vinesh Chandel/X

‘Shakes level playing field’: Abhishek Banerjee

Reacting strongly, Banerjee said the arrest, coming barely days before the polls, “shakes the very idea of a level playing field.”

In a post on X, he alleged that such actions create “an atmosphere of fear, not fairness,” claiming that institutions like the Election Commission of India and central agencies are being used selectively against the Opposition.

He also accused the BJP of “double standards,” alleging that corruption charges are overlooked when leaders switch sides to join the ruling party.

Issuing a direct challenge, Banerjee said the BJP should contest the elections fairly “even with all agencies at its disposal,” asserting that Bengal “will not be bullied or silenced.”

Banerjee himself is probed by the ED and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the coal smuggling case.

The TMC de facto number two was summoned for hearing by the agencies multiple times over the years.

Mamata flags political motive

The controversy had intensified earlier when Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee personally visited locations raided by the ED in Kolkata and walked out with documents and electronic devices.

She alleged that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had directed agencies to target TMC’s election-related material ahead of the polls.

The matter is currently under consideration in the Supreme Court.