Mamata Banerjee Leads Protest in Kolkata: A Show of Strength Ahead of 2026 Elections

Mamata Banerjee's Protest March Against ED Searches

Kolkata: On Friday, West Bengal's Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee spearheaded a protest march in south Kolkata, opposing the Enforcement Directorate's investigations related to the political consultancy firm I-PAC. This demonstration was part of the Trinamool Congress's (TMC) strategy to showcase their strength as they gear up for the 2026 Assembly elections.

Banerjee, accompanied by senior ministers, MPs, MLAs, and party members, marched from the 8B Bus Stand towards Hazra More. The crowd chanted slogans accusing the BJP-led central government of using federal agencies for political revenge.

This significant rally followed Banerjee's dramatic visit to I-PAC chief Pratik Jain's residence during an ED raid, which has intensified tensions between the state and central governments.

The protest was infused with cultural elements that resonated with Bengali traditions. Party supporters passionately sang Pratul Mukhopadhyay's famous anthem ‘Ami Banglay Gaan Gai’, while women blew conch shells, transforming the protest into a vibrant street festival filled with political resistance.

Dressed in her signature white cotton sari, shawl, and slippers, Banerjee led the procession, occasionally stopping to greet onlookers, many of whom captured the moment on their smartphones.

The rally was further energized by the presence of actor-politicians like Dev, a current Lok Sabha MP, and Soham Chakraborty, along with other well-known figures from the Bengali entertainment industry who also serve as party representatives. Their involvement added a star-studded appeal to the event, merging the realms of cinema and politics that the TMC has increasingly embraced.

TMC officials indicated that this march marks the beginning of a series of statewide protests planned by the party, signaling Banerjee's intention to shift the political discourse from formal settings back to the streets—a domain where she excels, and where her politics, rich in spectacle and symbolism, finds its most powerful expression.