'Like Pakistan Team, BJP Fights Polls With...': Bhupesh Baghel Slams Modi Govt Over ED Raids

Baghel, who is also the senior observer for All India Congress Committee (AICC) in Uttar Pradesh, also pointed out why there are raids on Opposition leaders whenever elections are around. 

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and AICC observer for UP elections Bhupesh Baghel. (File Photo/ Getty)

Lucknow: Reacting to the raids conducted by Central agencies on several leaders of Opposition, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Wednesday compared Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with Pakistan cricket team that he said plays with 13 players, including umpires as well.

Baghel, who is also the senior observer for All India Congress Committee (AICC) in Uttar Pradesh, also pointed out why there are raids on Opposition leaders whenever elections are around. 

He also alleged that Modi government contests elections with the help of central agencies, questioning why no raids are being conducted at UP CM's relative's house, in Uttarakhand and Goa where BJP is in power?

"Whenever polls are around there are raids in Opposition states. Why no raids at UP CM's relative's house, in Uttarakhand, Goa?  Like it's said about Pakistan that not 11 but 13 players play including umpires, likewise, BJP fights polls with Central agencies," Baghel said.

Whenever polls are around there're raids in Opposition states.Why no raids at UP CM's relative's house, in Uttarakhand, Goa? Like it's said about Pakistan that not 11 but 13 players play incl umpires,likewise, BJP fights polls with Central agencies:Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel pic.twitter.com/OBwr6gHNL2

— ANI (@ANI) January 19, 2022

Furthermore, the senior Congress leader also alleged that Centre is trying to suppress farmers in every possible way.

"If you want to get rid of inflation, profit farmers and their harvest, remove this government. I went for door-to-door campaigns, people are extremely upset with the Yogi government," he said while speaking to reporters in Lucknow. 

UP | Centre is trying to suppress farmers in every possible way. If you want to get rid of inflation, profit farmers & their harvest, remove this govt... I went for door-to-door campaigns, people are extremely upset with the Yogi govt: Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel in Lucknow pic.twitter.com/SIwIC0fAKR

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) January 19, 2022

Baghel was in Lucknow to meet Congress president Sonia Gandhi, former party chief Rahul Gandhi and party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to discuss the strategy for the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls.

Chhattisgarh CM's remarks came a day after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted multiple raids in Punjab, including the residence of Bhupinder Singh Honey, the nephew of Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi. 

Even Rahul Gandhi reacted to the ED crackdown, saying raids have become BJP's favourite weapon because they themselves have things to hide.

ED has claimed that it recovered Rs 6 crore in cash during the raids carried out in Punjab in connection with an illegal sand mining case. The raids were conducted by the ED at more than 10 locations, including the house of Bhupinder Singh Honey.