Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel detained by Delhi police for opposing ED action against Rahul Gandhi 

Delhi:Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghelhad reached the All India Congress Committee Headquarters in Delhi on Monday to join the protest of the party against the misuse of Central government agencies against the opposition leaders.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and senior Congress leaders and workers across the country had reached the Congress headquarters in Delhi and participated in a peaceful protest rally towards the ED Office in the national capital. However, the Chief Minister was detained by the Delhi police on his way to ED office. It may be mentioned, Congress MP and former AICC president Rahul Gandhi was on Monday summoned by the ED in the National Herald case.

The Congress leaders from different corners of the country had reached to protest against the misuse of ED, according to the Congress. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghelsaid that the central government, through government institutions, is trying to intimidate Congress leaders. “We are not afraid of it. Congress workers will take the politics of hatred and fear to the people of the country. Congress will take the issues like inflation and unemployment to the general public,” said Baghel. Baghel said that the BJP government is afraid of Rahul Gandhi. This is clearly autocratic behavior of the central government, said Baghel.

Baghel said that the Congress party had given a loan of Rs 90 crore at different times to revive the National Herald. Giving loan by any political party is not a criminal act under any law in India. Then, how can the Congress party giving a total loan of Rs 90 crore to Associated Journals Limited be treated as a criminal act?

He said that there is no FIR in this case. Action is being taken on the basis of a complaint. The case was also closed in 2015. The closure report was re-opened in the year 2018-19 and now summons is being issued.

When Sonia Gandhi appears before the ED, there will be a bigger demonstration than this.

Prior to his departure to Delhi on Sunday evening, Chief Minister Baghel said that he has asked all the Commissioners to make field visits to assess water availability in the water reservoirs across the state as there is no sign of any rain. As on date there is a drought-like situation prevailing across the country, said the Chief Minister.

On the Hasdeo issue and continuous protest by the Chhattisgarh Bachao Andolan, Chief Minister said that Alok Shukla should first switch off the lights and fans of his house and go to Delhi for protest instead of misinterpreting the environment clearance rules. “I know very well. I need not take any knowledge on environment rules from anyone,” said the Chief Minister.

“The mining is not being done for me or my state rather it is meant for the Rajasthan government. We are getting royalty Rs 100 per tonne only which is a big loss for the state government. If auction of mines is held, the royalty of the state can be Rs 2900 per tonne. In this way, Chhattisgarh incurs a loss of Rs 9 lakhcrore. Coal crisis is prevailing in the entire nation and the nation should decide if it needs electricity or not. It is a matter of interest for the nation. The Government of India has allotted the coal mines. If coal block allotment was in our hands why should we give it to others? We can excavate it, sell it and earn profit,” said Baghel. “Earlier we had fought against the British rulers and now we are fighting with their followers,” said Baghel while talking to the media in Delhi.

For the first time in the history of India, passenger trains were suspended for the transportation of coal, said Baghel. “We asked for a royalty hike by Rs 100 per tonne but it was not accepted by the Centre, but the Centre can import coals from other countries for Rs 15000 to 18000 per tonne.

If trees are not cut, excavation is not possible. If allotment is cancelled by the government then there is no question of tree felling, said Baghel.