• By Kamakshi Bishnoi
  • Mon, 10 Mar 2025 02:07 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND

Chaitanya Baghel News: The ongoing raid at the premises of Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chhattisgarh chief minister and Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel, led to a  protest by Congress members against the action taken by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The leaders call the raid “Centre’s conspiracy” to stop Congress in Punjab and divert attention from other important issues to be raised in Parliament by the Opposition.

Calling the raid a conspiracy, Congress’ media and publicity department head Pawan Khera said that it is being done to manage headlines when the Opposition is seeking to corner the government in Parliament over several issues. Khera claimed that the case against Baghel was cancelled in court a few days ago.

"Today, when the Parliament session is starting, the BJP, which is cornered from all sides, got the ED to raid the house of senior Congress leader, Mr. Bhupesh Baghel ji, in order to change the headlines and divert the country's attention from tariff, falling economy, voter list fraud etc," he charged.

Speaking in a video posted on X, Khera said, "The BJP should understand that it will neither be able to stop the Congress, nor any of our leaders. We are not afraid, nor will we be afraid."

READ MORE: Who Is Chaitanya Baghel? What Is The Chhattisgarh Liquor Policy Case | Explained

Chhattisgarh Congress leaders came out in support of former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel and initiated a protest against the Enforcement Directorate's raid on his premises. Congress leaders, gathered outside Baghel’s house, alleged conspiracy by the Centre. 

"The top Congress leadership in the state is being targeted by the (BJP-led) Centre with malicious intention. We have gathered here to protest against the conspiracy of the Centre," news agency PTI quoted a Congress worker, who was among the protesters.

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Several Congress MLAs also staged protests in the Chhattisgarh Assembly as they entered its well and raised slogans against the ruling BJP, leading to their suspension of the house.

Congress MP Manickam Tagore was quoted by ANI, saying, "We all know that ED has become the pet dog of PM Modi and Union HM Amit Shah. They can send this dog anywhere they want. Bhupesh Baghel has been a strong leader for Congress and he has fought these battles. The Congress party and the people of Chhattisgarh stand with him. We all know that these fake narratives built by BJP and RSS will be defeated.” 

Bhupesh Baghel, reacted to the ED raid, claiming that it was a conspiracy to stop Congress in Punjab. In his X post, Baghel said, “When the false case going on for seven years was dismissed by the court, the ED guests entered the Bhilai residence of former Chief Minister and Congress General Secretary Bhupesh Baghel this morning. If someone is trying to stop Congress in Punjab through this conspiracy, then it is a misunderstanding.”

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids on Monday, March 10, at over 14 locations including properties linked to Chaitanya Baghel, son of Bhupesh Baghel, in connection with an alleged liquor scam tied to a money laundering case. 

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishu Deo Sai reacted to the raid and ongoing protests. He said, "Everyone is aware about the scams that took place under the Congress government, and the central agencies are probing these scams. Several people are in jail, while some are preparing to go to jail. The state government is not involved in this."