India, April 26 -- With the first phase of voting in West Bengal concluded on 23 April and the second phase scheduled for 29 April, a disruption inside the Indian Political Action Committee, I-PAC, has emerged as a central variable in an election already marked by high political stakes.

I-PAC has curtailed its ground operations in the state for a limited period citing "legal issues", even as enforcement action against its leadership has intensified. Its functionaries have also reduced public visibility and stopped formally responding to media queries, amid concerns of being drawn into the ongoing legal proceedings.

On 8 January, the Enforcement Directorate conducted raids across multiple premises, including I-PAC's Salt Lake office and ...