Kolkata, Feb 3 (PTI) — Senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Madan Mitra has launched a scathing attack on political consultancy agency I-PAC (Indian Political Action Committee), accusing it of tarnishing the image of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee by facilitating the rise of "opportunistic individuals" within the party.
Mitra, the Kamarhati MLA known for his candid remarks, alleged in an interview with Bengali news channels that Mamata Banerjee’s reputation, once untarnished, has been sullied due to the involvement of "Pacwalas" (a reference to I-PAC members).
The political consultancy agency, which has been closely associated with TMC’s election strategy in recent years, could not be reached for a response.
Accusations Against I-PAC’s Influence
Mitra claimed that certain individuals associated with I-PAC have exerted undue influence within the party, even pressuring ministers to act on various issues. He criticized the party's growing reliance on external agencies, arguing that TMC had successfully won elections since 2009 through internal efforts, without needing outside consultants."The interference began when some individuals from I-PAC entered, causing unnecessary disruption," he stated, blaming them for organizational turmoil.
Corruption Allegations and Selling of Party Positions
Mitra’s latest remarks follow his earlier claims about growing corruption within the party. Last week, he had warned that party positions were being sold for money, alleging that this malpractice had worsened over time.In a previous interview with Bengali news channel ABP Ananda, Mitra elaborated on the issue, explaining that certain individuals exploit their association with senior TMC leaders to extort money from party workers and aspiring politicians.
"They take pictures with senior leaders, claim proximity to Mamata Banerjee, and then use these photos to extract money from others," he alleged.
He further stated that many businessmen, with large amounts of unaccounted wealth, were seeking political influence by offering money to district committees in exchange for positions. "Figures as high as Rs 10 lakh are being demanded for district committee posts," he claimed.
However, he clarified that neither Mamata Banerjee nor Abhishek Banerjee was directly involved in these alleged financial transactions, asserting that the corruption was occurring at the district and block levels.
Warning Ahead of 2026 Elections
With West Bengal gearing up for the 2026 assembly elections, Mitra urged the party leadership to take strict action against such malpractices. He warned that if these issues remained unaddressed, they could severely damage the TMC’s image ahead of the crucial polls.His remarks have intensified the ongoing debate about internal challenges within the ruling party, raising concerns about its organizational integrity as it prepares for future electoral battles.
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