Abhishek Banerjee Slams Arrest of I-PAC Co-founder Ahead of Bengal Polls, Alleges Institutional Misuse

Abhishek Banerjee, National General Secretary of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC), has strongly criticized the arrest of Vinesh Chandel, calling it a serious threat to democratic fairness just days ahead of the West Bengal elections. In a post on social media, Banerjee stated that the timing of the arrest—barely ten days before the polls—raises serious concerns about the integrity of the electoral process. He alleged that such actions disrupt the “level playing field” essential in a democracy.

The arrest of Vinesh Chandel, co-founder of I-PAC, barely 10 days before the Bengal elections, is not just alarming- It shakes the very idea of a level playing field. At a time when WB should be moving toward free and fair elections, this kind of action sends a chilling message:…

— Abhishek Banerjee (@abhishekaitc) April 13, 2026

The TMC leader further pointed to the involvement of institutions such as the Election Commission of India and investigative agencies including the Enforcement Directorate (ED), National Investigation Agency (NIA), and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), suggesting that their actions during such a sensitive period create “an atmosphere of fear, not fairness.” Banerjee emphasized that the issue goes beyond a single arrest, framing it as a larger question about institutional independence and the democratic right of citizens to participate in elections without intimidation. In a direct message to Amit Shah and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), he issued a bold challenge, urging them to be present in Bengal on May 4 and 5 along with all agencies. He asserted that Bengal would resist any attempts at coercion, declaring that the state “will not be bullied, silenced, or bow down.” The remarks come amid rising political tensions in West Bengal as campaigning intensifies, with allegations and counter-allegations dominating the pre-election narrative.