Bhupesh Baghel Leads Protest in Chhattisgarh as Son’s ED Arrest Sparks Political Storm; BJP Hits Back

Raipur: Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel led a statewide protest and economic blockade on Tuesday in response to the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) arrest of his son, Chaitanya Baghel, triggering sharp political exchanges and public disruptions.

Congress workers across key districts took to the streets, blocking highways and government offices, alleging “political vendetta” behind the ED’s action. Bhupesh Baghel accused the central government of misusing agencies to target Opposition leaders and families, calling it a “desperate attempt to silence dissent.”

However, Chhattisgarh Finance Minister OP Choudhary from the BJP dismissed the protests as “an attempt to shield corruption.” Speaking to the press, he stated, “If the honourable court is not granting bail, it means that there is evidence… To hide his corruption and to save his son, Bhupesh Baghel is harassing the public. He is doing wrong politics to save his son by stopping economic activities.”

Chaitanya Baghel was arrested last week by the ED in connection with a money laundering case linked to alleged irregularities during the Congress-led government’s tenure. The agency claims to have recovered digital evidence pointing to financial transactions involving shell companies.