"BJP always uses central agencies to all extent": Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel

New Delhi [India], March 13 (ANI): Congress leader and former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Thursday reiterated his accusations on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of using central agencies to target opposition-ruled states, particularly Chhattisgarh.
Speaking about the series of raids conducted in the state, Baghel claimed that the maximum number of raids were carried out in Chhattisgarh, despite it being a relatively small state.
"The Bharatiya Janata Party always uses central agencies to all extent. As far as Chhattisgarh is concerned, the first raid was done in 2021 after the BJP lost in Jharkhand. In 2020, the first IT raid was conducted. Now, raids are being conducted in Punjab, too; we are not afraid of raids. I think that among all the states, the maximum number of raids was conducted in Chhattisgarh. It is a small state, but the maximum raids were conducted in Chhattisgarh," Baghel said.
Earlier on Monday, the ED conducted searches at the residence of Bhupesh Baghel, his son Chaitanya Baghel and others in connection with an ongoing probe into the alleged multi-crore liquor scam.
In a post on X, Baghel said "ED has left the house. They found three things in my house. Pen drive containing conversation about transaction of crores between Manturam and Dr. Puneet Gupta (Dr. Raman Singh's son-in-law). Papers of SAIL company of Dr. Raman Singh's son Abhishek Singh."
"The total of farming, dairy, Stridhan and "cash in hand" in the entire joint family is about 33 lakh rupees, the account of which will be given to them. The main thing is that ED officials have not been able to provide any ECIR number," he said.
As per the sources, the raids were conducted at a total of 14 locations across Chhattisgarh in the case pertaining to alleged irregularities in the liquor trade in Chhattisgarh, involving alleged suspected illegal commissions and money laundering.
The ED has alleged that a cartel of government officials, politicians, and liquor businessmen ran a scheme that illegally collected around Rs 2,161 crore from the sale of liquor in the state between 2019 and 2022. The alleged scam involved manipulation of the liquor supply chain, where a cartel controlled the sale and distribution of alcohol through government-run shops.
The agency has earlier conducted multiple raids, including on politicians and bureaucrats linked to the previous Congress-led government in Chhattisgarh. (ANI)