India, April 17 -- The Income Tax Department on Friday morning searched the premises of two ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders, including Debasish Kumar, who is contesting the West Bengal assembly polls from Kolkata's Rashbehari constituency, triggering protests against the alleged misuse of federal agencies ahead of the April 23-29 election.

"Searches are going on," said a police officer, referring to Kumar's residence on Padmapukur Road and office on Motilal Nehru early. The residence of another TMC leader, Kumar Saha, was searched in South Kolkata.

TMC workers staged a protest against the raids outside Kumar's office and Saha's residence. Kumar, a lawmaker in the outgoing assembly, is also a Kolkata Municipal Corporation mayor-i...