Raipur
Congress leaders and workers staged a massive protest in the Chhattisgarh capital on Wednesday over the National Herald case. Led by former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, the protesters broke through police barricades while attempting to gherao the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state headquarters in Pandri.
During the demonstration, Congress workers blackened posters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Senior leaders including Leader of Opposition Charan Das Mahant and PCC President Deepak Baij joined the march. Police personnel, deployed in heavy numbers, stopped the protesters near Mekahara Chowk following a brief scuffle.
Former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel accused the Union government of using central agencies for political vendetta. “The BJP is misusing agencies to target the opposition. The action in the National Herald case is driven by political malice,” Baghel said.
Other prominent leaders present included former minister Amarjeet Bhagat, former MLA Anita Sharma, and Vikas Upadhyay, along with NSUI members.
Speaking to the media, Baghel also raised questions regarding the functioning of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Economic Offences Wing (EOW). He claimed that an individual named Pappu Bansal, whose testimony led to his son’s imprisonment, had been previously declared absconding.
“The ED brought the absconding Pappu Bansal for a statement today. When our lawyers pointed out that he is a declared fugitive, the agency officials fled the spot along with him,” the former Chief Minister alleged.
Security remains tightened in the area following the protest.
