Raipur: In response to strong protests and a walkout in the Chhattisgarh Assembly over a spying issue, Congress State President Deepak Baij held a joint press conference at the Rajiv Bhawan headquarters, making serious allegations against the ruling government. He claimed he was a target of surveillance, fearing a potential repeat of the Jheeram attack.
Baij expressed concerns about police monitoring his home and accused the government of spying on him, alleging that the ruling BJP would go to any lengths for political gains.
Baij asserted that winning public representatives frequently visit his house for discussions and that their activities were being tracked.
Congress supporters apprehended a sub-inspector and a constable engaged in monitoring activities outside Baij’s home. The SHO claimed he was fulfilling a duty assigned by the Additional SP of Dantewada, stating they were actually looking for Awadhesh Gautam, a contractor and Congress district president implicated in a ₹2.95 crore PMGSY road construction scam.
BJP district president Santosh Gupta confirmed that an FIR had been lodged against Gautam for the scam and that he would face consequences.
Additionally, Congress Communication Department Chief SA Shukla accused the BJP government of systematically targeting Congress leaders to install their own people in Zila Panchayat and Janpad Panchayat positions. He alleged that candidates were offered bribes, including cash and vehicles, and those who refused faced threats of false cases.
He stated, “There is no transparency in the current government.”
During the Congress party press conference, it was alleged that the ED was intentionally targeting Congress leaders, subjecting them to mental distress. Moreover, on February 27, the ED interrogated Congress General Secretary Malkit Singh Gaidu for seven hours, and Excise Minister Kawasi Lakhma remains jailed in a liquor case.
On March 1, the Congress plans to burn effigies against the ED across the state, and on March 3, workers will protest in front of the ED office, according to Baij.
“We are not afraid of the ED or government oppression; we will fight for justice,” the Congress state president declared.
Following the Panchayat Elections, the political climate in the state rapidly changed, intensifying the confrontation between the Major Opposition, Congress, and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government.
