Cong boycotts proceedings after ED arrests Baghel’s son

 

The Monsoon session of the State Assembly witnessed dramatic scenes, as the main opposition Congress party boycotted the final day’s proceedings to protest against the arrest of Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. The day began with opposition MLAs attempting to move an adjournment motion to debate the issue of tree felling in Tamnar for the Gare-Pelma coal mines in Raigarh District. This deforestation is occurring despite a previous resolution passed in the state assembly against it. However, Speaker Dr Raman Singh denied accepting the motion because the matter is pending in the Court, leading to an uproar from the opposition benches. The Speaker briefly adjourned the proceedings for five minutes to restore order.

 

Upon the House reconvening, Leader of Opposition, Dr Charan Das Mahant, informed the assembly that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had raided the Bhilai home of former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. Mahant asserted that the ED’s actions were an attempt to “pressure the opposition” and called it a “serious matter” that required deliberation on whether the government was operating within a democratic system or “Modi Ji’s system.” “Our child has been arrested,” stated Mahant, referring to Chaitanya Baghel. “Hence, we are completely boycotting the proceedings of the House.” Following this declaration, all opposition members exited the Assembly, bringing an abrupt end to their participation in the Monsoon Session.

 

The Enforcement Directorate’s action against Chaitanya Baghel is reportedly linked to an ongoing money laundering probe connected to an alleged multi-crore liquor scam in Chhattisgarh that purportedly occurred between 2019 and 2022, during the tenure of the Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress government. Fresh raids were conducted at Bhupesh Baghel’s Bhilai residence, which he shares with his son, before Chaitanya Baghel’s arrest on Friday. This marks the second time the ED has raided Chaitanya Baghel’s premises this year, with a similar operation conducted in March. Former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, in a social media post, linked the ED’s actions to the timing of the Assembly session, specifically stating that the issue of tree felling in Tamnar was scheduled to be raised today, implying the raid was an attempt to stifle the opposition. He also noted that the arrest coincided with his son Chaitanya’s birthday. The tree felling in Tamnar for the Gare Palma Sector II coal block has been a contentious issue, with local villagers protesting the deforestation and former Chief Minister Baghel having previously extended his support to their cause. 

 

 

 

Swarms of supporters of former Congress Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel gathered outside his residence in Padum Nagar at old Bhilai after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided his residence on Friday morning. The supporters also scuffled with the police while trying to prevent the ED officials from taking away with them the senior congress leader’s son Chaitanya Baghel alias ‘Bittu’, whose birthday coincided with the ED’s raid. The supporters created a scene outside the Baghel’s residence alleging gross abuse of power by the BJP and were making preparations to head to ED office at Raipur to protest Chaitanya’s detention. Notably, on Friday morning, a team of ED raided Baghel’s residence in connection with an ongoing investigation into a money laundering probe linked to multi-crore liquor scam in Chhattisgarh which occurred during the previous congress regime. As soon as the news of ED’s raid in Baghel’s residence spread, the congress workers including former Raipur MLA Vikas Upadhyay gathered outside his house. Shortly after the raid, senior Baghel was allowed to leave to attend the assembly session while keeping in view the huge crowd of supporters, the police erected barricades on all the roads leading to Baghel’s residence. At about 12:45 pm as the ED decided to take away Chaitanya with them, they had to face stiff opposition by the congress workers who chased the ED’s convoy for few meters and protested against the same by climbing on barricades. Meanwhile, ex CM Baghel while talking to the media persons outside his residence stated that in order to soothe their masters, ED team again raided his home but Bhupesh will neither get afraid nor bow down before them. He also alleged that it is a countrywide phenomenon as congress leaders across the nation are being suppressed and the government at centre is trying to murder the democracy. ‘On one hand at Bihar, the BJP is trying to do ‘Cheerharan’ of opposition while on the other, the agencies are being misused by them to instill fear among congress leaders. I have faith in democracy and judiciary and we will cooperate with the agencies even though they are being misused by the BJP,’ said Baghel.