Chhattisgarh coal scam: BJP wants to spoil Cong 85th plenary session, says Chhattisgarh CM after ED raids on Congress leaders

Raipur: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Monday called the ED raids at the premises of Congress leaders “politically motivated” and aimed to disturb Congress’s 85th plenary session.

As a part of an ongoing investigation in coal levy extortion-cum-money laundering case, the ED sleuths conducted raids at more than a dozen locations in Chhattisgarh on Monday, including the residential and official premises linked to Congress leaders responsible for the preparation of Congress plenary to be held in Raipur.

This time also, ED carried out searches with the help of Central Paramilitary forces. The ED action created chaos at places. Congress workers staged fierce demonstrations and clashed with the CRPF men deployed to provide protection to ED sleuths.

Top Congress leaders, including Congress in-charge Sailja, Baghel, Home Minister Tamradhwaj Sahu and state party president Mohan Markam addressed a press conference at Congress headquarters, Rajiv Bhavan, and warned that misuse of ED machinery may lead to serious consequences.

ED raids premises of several Congress leaders, close aides

ED conducted raids at the residences of State Congress Treasurer Ramgopal Agrawal, former State Congress Vice President Girish Dewangan, MLAs Devendra Yadav, Chandradev Rai, State Congress Spokesman RP Singh, Congress leader Sushil Sunny Agrawal, Vinod Tiwari and others, CM Baghel said.

Whenever Congress starts preping for a big leap in democratic setup, either it is Bharat Jodo Yatra, preparation for plenary or general or assembly poll, BJP hatches conspiracies, misuses agencies to raid and disturb opposition, but its dirty games will not last long, Sailja said, asking, “Why does ED refrain from raiding Adani or other defaulters? They are protected by the Modi government.”