The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday conducted searches at the premises of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel’s political adviser Vinod Verma and two Officers on Special Duty (OSDs) in Raipur and Durg districts. Mr. Baghel dubbed the action as “birthday gift” from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
While the exact case over which the raids were carried out is not clear, paramilitary personnel could be seen outside the residence of Mr. Vinod Verma in capital Raipur. Similar raids were also conducted at premises belonging to the CM’s OSDs Ashish Verma and Manish Banchhor in old Bhilai area of Durg.
Soon after the raids began, Mr. Baghel who turned 62 on Wednesday, took a jibe at the PM and the Home Minister through his post on X (formerly Twitter). “Respected Prime Minister and Mr. Amit Shah! Thank you very much for the priceless gift you have given me on my birthday by sending ED to my political advisor, OSD and close aides,” he posted.
Echoing these views at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, Congress’ Chhattisgarh unit media-in charge Sushil Anand Shukla said that the BJP, which is the main Opposition in the State, feared that “events to be held on the birthday of Bhupesh Baghel would create more positive atmosphere in favour of Congress” ahead of the Assembly election and hence the raids were conducted.
Specifically, the two OSDs, Mr. Banchhor and Mr. Ashish Verma, were involved in a grand event in Patan, the home turf of the CM in Durg, and the raids are an attempt to scuttle that and tarnish Mr. Baghel’s image, Mr. Shukla added.
‘Targeting an OBC CM, farmer’s son’
The Congress further alleged that through the raids, attempts were made to target a Chief Minister who hailed from one of the communities under the other backward classes (OBCs) while also invoking his agricultural background.
Meanwhile, security personnel were also seen outside the house of businessman Vijay Bhatia, a family friend of Mr. Baghel according to the Congress, in Nehrunagar area of Bhilai in Durg.
Mr. Ashish Verma is a former journalist who is currently involved in looking after the booth committees of the Congress as well as training of party workers ahead of the Chhattisgarh Assembly election. He was closely involved with campaign management during the Himachal Pradesh Assembly election last year, which the party won. Mr. Banchhor, who is an employee of the SAIL’s Bhilai steel plant, is posted as the CM’s OSD on deputation.
