Cong: ED raids part of BJP's efforts to execute lotus op

Raipur: The Chhattisgarh unit of Congress on Monday alleged that Enforcement Directorate (ED’s raids against its party leaders was part of BJP's efforts to execute “operation lotus” in the state in the election year and challenged the central agency to reveal about properties and cash found during the raids. Addressing a press conference at the state Congress office here, Congress leaders, whose premises were searched by the ED sleuths during the last couple of months, said Congress leaders were being unnecessarily targeted with an aim to “intimidate” the party leaders. Raipur Mayor Aijaj Debhar, Chhattisgarh mineral development corporation chairman Girish Dewangan, Karmakar Mandal president Sunny Agrawal and businessman Achal Bhatia and state Congress media cell chairman Sushil Anand Shukla were present at the press conference. Dewangan said he was told that the search was part of a probe into some coal deals but neither him nor his family members were into any business related to coal. “Besides, the corporation also does’nt deal with any coal matters,” he said. He claimed that the ED officials swooped on Congress leaders when they were busy with the preparations for the 85th Congress plenary session in February. Pointing out that the ED has not yet revealed anything about its findings, Dewangan said it appeared that the ED was acting on the instructions of someone.Mayor Aijaz Debhar said the ED officials reached his premises early in the morning saying that they have a search warrant but they also searched the premises of his brother. He alleged that cloths and other materials were strewn around during the search. Businessman Achal Bhatia said his family members, including mother and wife, were disturbed after the ED officials searched the house and took away cash and mobile phones. Congress media cell incharge Sushil Anand Shukla said the central agency was trying to implement operation lotus as there is a strong Congress government in Chhattisgarh which is all set to return to power in the next elections.