Amid ED probe in 'coal levy scam', Chhattisgarh CM calls it 'vendetta politics

Amid the probe by Enforcement Directorate in the alleged coal levy scam and the arrest of a few bureaucrats and businessmen Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Sunday called the action vendetta politics and said he was prepared for more such moves by the CentreHe also slammed the Bharatiya Janata Partyled Union government for not releasing funds to Chhattisgarh adding he would not keep silent over such injustice to his stateIn an interview to PTI Baghel who completed four years in office on December 17 said the schemes of his government were aimed at strengthening the rural economy and creating self employment but admitted there were several poll promises which are yet to be fulfilledWe welcome action against corruption But if the action is politically motivated then it is wrong Whenever I campaigned in elections in other states raids were conducted in Chhattisgarh by the central agencies Baghel saidThe ED has been probing a money laundering case linked to the alleged levy of money on coal and mining transporters in Chhattisgarh It has arrested five persons so far including IAS officer Sameer Vishnoi and Deputy Secretary in the CMs office Soumya ChaurasiaAlso read Why is BJPled Centre allowing imports from China when it is attacking India Arvind KejriwalThe BJP does not have acceptability among the people of Chhattisgarh anymore Anticipating reverses in the Assembly polls scheduled for late next year due to the good governance of the Congress government here the BJP has roped in central agencies to harass and defame my government Such acts should not be done in politics he assertedHinting at the state polls Baghel said these central probe agencies would become more active in the coming months and claimed he was mentally prepared for itThe 61yearold firebrand Congress leader who has been vocal against BJP and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh RSS leadership said he shares good relations personally with the Prime Minister Home Minister Finance Minister Defence Minister and all Union ministersBut it is my responsibility to fight in the interest of the state I can speak write letters and fight for my states rights I dont consider anything wrong in it They Centre havent given Chhattisgarhs money pending in connection with GST coal royalty and central excise If injustice is meted out to us then we will definitely fight he assertedBaghel said farm loan waiver procurement of paddy at Rs 2500 per quintal rural industrial parks and procurement of minor forest produce and cow dung have been steps taken in the interest of common peopleWe have done a lot in these four years but not everything There is always room for growth We have just started and we need to take it further We took up tasks in adverse circumstances referring to the COVID19 pandemic However there are many promises that are yet to be fulfilled the CM admittedHe said his government had achieved considerable success against the Maoists but admitted it was tough to predict when the menace would completely endLeft Wing Extremism has now been reduced only to some pockets in the state The government has pushed Naxalites on the back foot with its three pronged strategy of trust development and security However it is tough to say when the menace will come to an end he saidThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever