Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel slams Central Government’s raids, alleges political motives

Raipur Chhattisgarh Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Thursday lambasted the Central government for the ongoing activities of the Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and Income Tax (IT) raids in the state. Talking to reporters at the Congress office in Delhi, Baghel voiced strong criticism against the Central Government, accusing it of pursuing politically motivated actions. He also shed light on what he perceived as a connection between these activities and his friends’ interests in the state’s mines. Notably, during the press conference, a journalist posed an intriguing question about potential gifts for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. Baghel responded by hinting that if elections were to occur in November, his party will win 75-plus seats. Chief Minister Baghel went on to detail the extensive actions taken in Chhattisgarh over the past three years. He revealed that more than 200 actions have been conducted during this period, characterized by ED and IT officials entering homes and seizing assets. Baghel emphasized that these actions, which have caused distress among affected families, appear to be aimed at defaming the state government. He described a disturbing situation where family members are held captive and subjected to pressure for several days. He likened this environment to bullying, equating the treatment to that of monkeys and dogs. Remarkably, the state’s political landscape seemed to be under constant surveillance, as Baghel revealed that a team of 200-250 individuals was poised to join the ongoing actions. The targets for ED and IT have reportedly been set by the central government, with a deadline set for September 15. Additionally, the possibility of transferring investigations to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) after the ED and IT raids was discussed during the press conference. This move was suggested as an indication of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) strategic reliance on these actions, perhaps due to a perceived inability to challenge their opposition through conventional political means. With upcoming elections on the horizon, Chief Minister Baghel commented on the intensified searches conducted at the residences of various officials, including lower-level party workers. He recounted instances where even participants in a recent national Congress party convention were subjected to searches. Baghel speculated that the BJP might choose not to contest the 14 seats they previously won and suggested that even these seats could be in jeopardy for the party. Baghel questioned the lack of action against accused individuals despite purported evidence of wrongdoing. He spotlighted the coal scam, noting that a significant portion of Chhattisgarh’s coal business was controlled by the central enterprise SECL. Baghel raised concerns about the lack of action against officials involved in potential scams. He also highlighted commonalities between cases such as the liquor scam, coal scam, and the Mahadev app, where the primary accused seemingly evaded consequences. Baghel emphasized the need for actions against distilleries in the event of a liquor scam. Overall, he painted a complex picture of political maneuvering and potential ulterior motives behind the series of raids and investigations.