In a fiery statement outside Raipur Central Jail, Congress leader Sachin Pilot accused the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in Chhattisgarh of weaponizing investigative agencies to silence political opponents. Pilot, a former Rajasthan deputy chief minister, made these remarks after meeting Chaitanya Baghel, the son of former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel, who was recently arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an alleged multi-crore liquor scam.

Pilot claimed the BJP is orchestrating a deliberate campaign to intimidate and suppress Congress leaders. "The BJP is using agencies like the ED, CBI, and Income Tax to target our leaders, as seen in the cases of Bhupesh Baghel's son, MLAs Kawasi Lakhma, and Devendra Yadav," he said. He further alleged that the BJP's actions are an attempt to tarnish the image of Congress leaders, citing past instances where Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi faced similar harassment.

The ED alleges that Chaitanya Baghel managed over Rs 1,000 crore in "proceeds of crime" from the liquor scam, which reportedly occurred during the Congress-led government in Chhattisgarh from 2019 to 2022, causing significant losses to the state while enriching a liquor syndicate by over Rs 2,100 crore. Pilot, however, expressed confidence in the judiciary, stating, "We trust the truth will prevail, and we will cooperate fully with the legal process."

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Undeterred, Pilot emphasized that the Congress would not be cowed by such tactics. "The BJP is trying to distract from real issues like corruption and misgovernance, but we will continue our political fight," he declared, signaling the party's resolve to challenge the ruling party's alleged strong-arm tactics.

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