Former Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Bhupesh Baghel, has given his first response to the ED's raid concerning the liquor scam. He mentioned that the ED lacked an ECIR number. When asked, those involved couldn't answer. He declared, 'No one dares to touch me,' accusing BJP of a political conspiracy aimed at harassment. It's revealed that the raid resulted in 3.5 million rupees being found by the ED team.
On Monday morning, the Enforcement Directorate took significant action in the Chhattisgarh liquor scam case, conducting raids at multiple properties linked to former CM Bhupesh Baghel and his son. Sources indicate that several electronic gadgets and documents were seized. The former CM has now commented on this development, denouncing it as a conspiracy by the ruling party.
'I'm not even afraid of death...'
Bhupesh Baghel stated, 'Nobody dares to touch Bhupesh Baghel. I'm not even scared of death. I don't fear defeat or demise. The ED doesn't have an ECIR number. When we asked about it, they had no response. Seven years ago, I faced a grave accusation. Nothing was found as the SC acquitted me. Nothing will be found this time either.'
'This is all a BJP political conspiracy'
He remarked, 'This is all a political conspiracy by the BJP. Their aim is to harass us. I was enjoying my morning tea when they claimed to be from the ED. I welcomed them. For three years, I've been waiting; they didn't even have a search warrant.'
Reacting to news circulating in the media, the former CM noted, 'Reports mention cash counting machines arriving. Before marriage, my daughter-in-law worked in a bank. She claimed, 'I can count this much cash by hand; no machine needed.'
'Found 3.5 million at my home'
During the ED raids, Congress workers gathered outside his bungalow, receiving thanks from the former CM. He urged Congress to stand united. While this incident involved his home, next time it could be someone else’s. We must remain united. The 3.5 million rupees found at my home come from our agricultural business, with most of us earning well. This is a conspiracy by BJP to defame us.
'The ED team had breakfast'
He noted, 'The ED had breakfast at my place. If a raid lasts several hours and they depart without findings, it shows nothing was there. I've been assigned Punjab's charge, so they wanted to demotivate me. No inquiries were made—they simply wanted to know about our cash, gold, and silver reserves. Still, they lacked an ECIR number.'
Bhupesh Baghel criticized Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, saying he merely reads papers and evades questions. Yet, we fight for the common man, the unemployed, farmers, and the poor.
