New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday conducted searches at the premises of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel’s political advisor Vinod Verma and an Officer on Special Duty (OSD). The exact case in connection with which the raids were conducted was not yet known. Reacting to the ED’s action, Baghel, who turned 62 on Wednesday, said that this is a ‘priceless birthday gift’ from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
“Respected Prime Minister and Mr Amit Shah! Thank you very much for the priceless gift you have given me on my birthday by sending ED to my political advisor, OSD and close aides,” the Congress leader said in a post in Hindi on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The ED has been investigating different cases in Chhattisgarh pertaining to an alleged coal scam, liquor scam, irregularities in the District Mineral Foundation fund and an online betting application.
In the last two days, the ED also conducted searches at several locations in Raipur and Durg, apparently in connection with online betting activities.
Such ‘cheap tactics’ won’t work: Congress slams BJP after ED searches
The Congress on Wednesday said the Enforcement Directorate raids in Chhattisgarh were a reaction to the pre-poll surveys predicting a ‘massive rout’ for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and asserted that its government would not get bogged down by such ‘threats’ and ‘cheap tactics’.
Condemning the raids, Congress general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal alleged that the BJP was deploying its ‘dirtiest tricks’ to intimidate Congress.
“Strongly condemn the ED raids on the staff members of Chhattisgarh CM Sh. Bhupesh Baghel ji. Completely out of the race in the upcoming elections, the BJP is trying its dirtiest tricks to intimidate and rattle the Congress. However, we have the support of 3 crore Chhattisgarhis and such cheap tactics will not affect us, but they only show the BJP’s desperation,” Venugopal said.
Reacting to the development, Congress’ media and publicity department head Pawan Khera said, “The ongoing ED raids in Chattisgarh are a clear reaction to all the pre-poll surveys that have predicted a massive rout for the BJP.”
“Our pro-people Congress government will not get bogged down by such threats. We have the power of the people behind us,” Khera added.
Bureau Report
Leave a Reply