Mon Mar 10 15:22:59 UTC 2025: ## Congress Leader Baghel Calls ED Raid a BJP “Power Play”

**Raipur, Chhattisgarh** – Senior Congress leader and former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has denounced Monday’s Enforcement Directorate (ED) raid on his residence as a politically motivated act driven by the BJP’s frustration. The ED’s investigation centers on a money laundering case linked to Baghel’s son, Chaitanya, in an alleged liquor scam.

While the ED reportedly found approximately Rs 32-33 lakh in cash during the raid, Baghel attributed this to his large family and farming activities, promising to provide further details to substantiate his claim. He further asserted that the ED primarily seized documents pertaining to cases involving BJP leaders, suggesting the raid was intended to intimidate him.

The raid also targeted the premises of Chaitanya Baghel and an associate, Laxmi Narayan Bansal. Authorities allege Chaitanya received proceeds from the liquor scam. Baghel claims the ED’s investigation into the liquor scam, ongoing for three years, has yielded no substantial results, with neither a final report nor charges filed.

Baghel linked the raid to recent questioning in the state assembly regarding a housing scheme and his recent appointment as Congress in-charge for Punjab. He also cited his recent discharge in a separate, unrelated case as another potential motive for the BJP’s alleged retaliation. He contends that asking questions in the assembly is now being treated as a crime, citing the recent arrest of fellow Congress leader Kawasi Lakhma following his own questioning in the assembly. Baghel characterized the raid as the BJP resorting to extreme measures to silence political opposition.

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