Political consultancy firm Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC), which has been actively involved in managing the election campaign of the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, has temporarily paused its on-ground operations in the state for 20 days. The development comes at a crucial time, with polling dates for the two-phase voting approaching.

The decision to halt operations was communicated internally through an email sent by I-PAC’s human resource team on Sunday night. The email confirmed that the organisation has decided to stop its work in West Bengal with immediate effect. According to the message, the move has been taken due to “certain legal issues.” The communication further stated that the organisation is cooperating with the legal process and expressed confidence that “justice will take its due course.” Sources within I-PAC have confirmed that the HR email circulating on social media is genuine.

As part of this temporary pause, employees and team members working on the ground have been asked to take a short leave for a period of 20 days. The organisation has indicated that it plans to regroup after this break and review the situation on May 11. Based on that assessment, a decision will be taken regarding the resumption of operations and the next steps forward.

The impact of this pause is expected to be most visible at the grassroots level. Sources have said that the halt primarily affects I-PAC’s associate-level workforce deployed across various constituencies in West Bengal. These staff members play a key role in booth-level management, voter outreach, and data collection. Their work is considered crucial during the election period, as it directly connects with voters and helps in managing campaign strategies on the ground.

While the operations have been paused, not all staff members are in the same situation. Some employees continue to remain stationed in West Bengal, while others have returned to their homes following the directive. This mixed response reflects the temporary nature of the pause, as the organisation awaits clarity on the legal issues mentioned in the internal communication.

The timing of this development is significant, as election activities are intensifying in the state. With polling dates drawing closer, campaign efforts are usually at their peak. In this context, the temporary withdrawal of a major campaign management agency like I-PAC has naturally led to discussions about its potential impact on the ongoing political campaign.

Despite this, the Trinamool Congress has maintained that the pause will not affect its campaign. The party has indicated confidence in its existing structure and resources, suggesting that its election efforts will continue without disruption. While I-PAC has been a key part of the campaign strategy, the party appears to be relying on its internal organisation and network to manage the situation during this period.

The internal email has become a focal point in this development, especially as it clearly outlines the reason for the pause and the organisation’s approach to handling it. By stating that the issue is related to “certain legal issues” and that the organisation is cooperating with the legal process, the communication provides a limited but clear explanation for the sudden halt in operations. At the same time, the assurance that “justice will take its due course” indicates that I-PAC expects the matter to be resolved through legal channels.

For now, the focus remains on how the situation unfolds over the next few weeks. The planned review on May 11 will be an important moment for the organisation, as it will determine whether operations can resume smoothly or if further delays are expected. Until then, the pause marks a temporary but notable shift in the election campaign dynamics in West Bengal.

Overall, the decision by I-PAC to suspend its ground activities highlights the challenges that can arise even during critical phases of election campaigns. While the organisation deals with the legal issues it has cited, its absence from the field may change the way campaign activities are carried out at the constituency level. However, with the Trinamool Congress expressing confidence in its campaign, the immediate political impact remains uncertain.