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‘Unsettling precedent’: I-PAC breaks silence on ED raids in Kolkata, affirms ‘full cooperation’ as it raises concerns
The Enforcement Directorate raided the office of I-PAC and the residence of the political consultancy firm’s director in Kolkata in connection with a money laundering case Thursday.
Media personnel outside the residence of Pratik Jain. (PTI Photo)
A day after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided the office of I-PAC and the residence of the political consultancy firm’s director in Kolkata in connection with a money laundering case, I-PAC Friday issued a statement claiming it has “extended full cooperation” to the investigating agency.
In a statement issued on its X handle, I-PAC stated, “Yesterday, officials from the Enforcement Directorate carried out searches at the I-PAC office and at the residence of our Director, Pratik Jain, in Kolkata. It was a difficult and unfortunate day for a professional organisation like I-PAC.
“We believe this raises serious concerns and sets an unsettling precedent. Regardless, we have extended full cooperation and will continue to do so as required, engaging with the process in complete accordance and respect for the law.”
“We have always upheld the highest standards of professional integrity in all that we do. Despite what transpired yesterday, we remain fully committed to continuing our work unfazed and unperturbed, with consistency and accountability guided by the same purpose that has shaped us from the start,” the statement added.
In its statement, the political consultancy firm also highlighted that it has worked with multiple political parties across ideologies and regions, including the Bharatiya Janata Party, Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, Trinamool Congress, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, YSR Congress, Telangana Rashtra Samithi (now BRS), Janata Dal (United), and the Shiv Sena.
“We do not contest elections or hold political office. Our role is limited to transparent and professional political consulting, uninfluenced by differences in political ideology,” I-PAC stated.
The ED raids, along with CM Mamata Banerjee rushing to Jain’s residence, followed by her visit to I-PAC’s Salt Lake office, during the raids, have generated much political controversy in West Bengal, which is expected to go for Assembly polls in a few months.
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