I-PAC announces big changes in Bengal ops after TMC rejects firm's shutdown buzz

The Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) has scaled down key parts of its operations in poll-bound West Bengal following recent ED actions, even as the political consultancy firm continues to service its client, the Trinamool Congress (TMC).

Sources indicate that field-level operations have been suspended, while multiple verticals have shifted to a work-from-home (WFH) model. The move comes after ED raids led to the arrest of I-PAC director, Vinesh Chandel, repeated summoning of I-PAC leadership and emerging legal concerns, prompting the consultancy to reassess its operational structure in the state.

The Trinamool Congress on Sunday alleged a conspiracy was being orchestrated by the BJP-led Centre to cripple its campaign machinery through intimidation, even as it dismissed reports of I-PAC stopping operations in West Bengal as “completely baseless”. The development came days before the state will vote in two phases – April 23 and April 29. Results will be declared on May 4.

LEGAL PRESSURE AND INTERNAL RESET

According to sources, I-PAC functionaries have also worked closely with certain West Bengal government departments, making the developments more sensitive. The situation escalated following the arrest of Chandel, with expectations of further legal hurdles looming.

On April 18, the I-PAC leadership issued an operational halt to its employees in an initial conversation, citing “legal reasons” for the shift. Employees were instructed to limit external communication and refrain from using official email IDs for stakeholder interactions.

A noticeable signal of disruption has been the sudden inactivity of IPAC’s WhatsApp media coordination groups, which have remained silent since Saturday, despite the ongoing election cycle.

WHAT TRINAMOOL CONGRESS SAID?

The TMC, whose election campaigns have been clearly associated with I-PAC since 2021 – initially dismissed reports of any disruption. However, after reports of its office shutdowns surfaced, party leaders adopted a more measured tone.

“We are the second-largest Opposition party in Parliament with 40 MPs. We work with various agencies. We are doing fine and all is well. Young professionals in these agencies are in their 20s and 30s. We will not do anything that jeopardises their careers. We are a responsible political party. Our Chief Minister has assured that everyone will be taken care of,” Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien said.

I-PAC OPS CONTINUE DESPITE SCALE-DOWN

Despite the operational pullback, I-PAC has not fully halted its work in West Bengal. Campaign deliverables for TMC continue, with party sources confirming ongoing communication with I-PAC teams even after the changes were implemented.

Sources also pointed out that such recalibration is not entirely unusual in the political consultancy space. After major elections, firms like I-PAC often resize teams and scale operations based on client requirements and future contracts.

So far, sources India Today spoke with suggest that field operations in West Bengal has been completely suspended, but other teams have shifted to work-from-home mode. The arrest of I-PAC director Chandel added to uncertainty leading to this development.