West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee speaks during a public meeting. (PTI Photo/File) The Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Sunday rejected reports that political consultancy firm Indian Political Action Committee had paused its operations in West Bengal, calling the claims “completely baseless” and alleging a larger attempt to disrupt its election campaign. The response came after media reports said I-PAC had asked its employees in the state to stop work and go on a 20-day leave, citing “legal obligations.” According to the reports, operations would remain suspended until May 11. I-PAC has not issued an official statement on the matter. In a statement, the TMC said the consultancy firm remained fully engaged with its campaign and that activities across the state were continuing as planned. “We have come across a media report claiming that I-PAC has halted its operations in West Bengal for the next 20 days. This claim is completely baseless and appears to be a deliberate attempt to create confusion on the ground,” the party said. It added that such narratives were meant to distract voters ahead of polling. “These narratives are a deliberate attempt to distract from the clear mood on the ground. The people of West Bengal are fully capable of seeing through these attempts and will respond democratically,” it said. Later in the day, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP and central agencies of trying to intimidate those associated with her party. Addressing a rally in Tarakeswar, she said her party would offer jobs to I-PAC staff if they were pressured to leave. “They raid us through the ED every day. Suddenly, during elections, they remembered all this? They are telling those who work for our party to leave West Bengal. They have fifty organisations. We have only one,” Banerjee said. “If they are threatened, they will join us. We will give them jobs. I will not allow even one boy to lose his job. I spoke to Abhishek this morning before coming here,” she added. Banerjee also alleged a “deep conspiracy” to disrupt the party’s campaign at a critical time. The developments come amid ongoing investigations by the Enforcement Directorate into I-PAC and its functionaries. The agency had earlier conducted searches linked to a coal smuggling case, and the matter is currently under consideration by the Supreme Court of India. For the Latest news, India News and breaking stories from around the world, visit Times Now for live coverage and in-depth reporting. Arpita Ghosh (She/Her) is an Assistant Editor at Times Now Digital, with over eight years of experience in digital journalism. She has worked across v... View More