Raipur: On August 23rd, Bhupesh Baghel, the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, strongly criticized the government led by the BJP. This came in response to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducting raids on the residences of his advisor and an officer on duty (OSD).
Baghel sees these raids as motivated. Suggests that the central government is using them to exert pressure on opposition leaders and non-aligned states. These recent investigations appear to be part of a pattern where the ED has been increasingly active in states governed by opposition parties.
Vinod Verma, the advisor to Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, addressed a press conference to voice his grievances regarding the recent raid by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). He claimed he was subjected to harassment and unjust treatment by the ED officials. “Despite providing evidence of my legitimate purchase of gold in 2005, the ED seized all my jewelry,” said Verma. He emphasized that the raid seemed to be predicated on a story that appeared in Jagat Vision magazine and declared his intent to take legal action against its editor.
Verma didn’t hold back in his accusations against the national leadership, insinuating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah are attempting to suppress the opposition using central agencies. He perceives these actions as politically motivated strategies against Chhattisgarh’s current government.
He concluded by challenging the ED to produce substantial evidence against him. Asserting his loyalty and commitment, Verma mentioned, “Ever since I was appointed as the chief minister’s advisor, I have ensured to uphold his and the party’s reputation. As a member of the AICC, I shoulder the responsibility with integrity and won’t let any smear campaign tarnish our image.”