‘Watergate 2.0’: Trinamool posts WA ‘chat’, seeks probe into ‘MHA role’ in ED searches
Times of India | 12 January 2026
Kolkata: An unverified WhatsApp screenshot shared by Trinamool spokesperson Kunal Ghosh on X on Saturday suggested that 13 ED officials and a well-known cyber expert had flown to Kolkata for a meeting at the ED's Salt Lake office at MHA's behest. This prompted the party to intensify its attack, asking for a probe into the home ministry's role in ED searches at I-PAC office premises and Pratik Jain's Kolkata home. TMC also accused BJP of using state machinery for "political snooping".
Ghosh told reporters, "We are not claiming that this WhatsApp chat screenshot is genuine. But what it says is dangerous and points fingers at MHA's role behind these searches." Ghosh said, "13 ED officers, several in the ranks of deputy directors and assistant directors, reached Kolkata ahead of the searches. The flight details are also there. One person flew in from Maharashtra. A cyber security expert was also flown in. The message suggests these were coordinated by the MHA. This needs to be probed."
Ghosh argued: "The case, which prompted the ED searches, was registered in 2020. I-PAC was then run by Prasant Kishor. Now, I-PAC is assisting TMC. I-PAC has several party strategy documents and political blueprints, with no link to any probe whatsoever. And this is why the search reeks of political motives. This is data theft. ED, a probe agency run on taxpayers' money, is being weaponised for political objectives, and MHA is behind this directly."
Referring to the I-PAC search incident as ‘Watergate 2.0', TMC posted on X: "17 June, 1972. 5 men were caught breaking into the Democratic Party headquarters at the Watergate complex to steal documents. The exposure of state-sponsored political espionage shook American democracy, and ultimately forced US President Richard Nixon to resign in disgrace. 8 Jan, 2026. ED officials were caught red-handed stealing our electoral strategy documents from the I-PAC office, at the peak of election cycle. The question must be asked. Will Amit Shah resign?"