New Delhi [India], March 26 (ANI): After the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducted raids on the residence of Chhattisgarh's former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, Congress leader Sachin Pilot claimed on Wednesday that this move was taken out of 'political animosity'.

Pilot criticised the BJP over the raid, stating that such tactics are being adopted to 'harass' opposition leaders and 'weaken' democratic values.

In a social media post on X, Pilot wrote, 'Today, a CBI team reached the residence of the former @bhupeshbaghel Minister of Chhattisgarh. This is no coincidence. Earlier too, the ED had taken action at his house. Now it is clear that all this is being done out of political animosity. Such tactics are being adopted to harass opposition leaders and weaken democratic values. Serious questions are being raised on the impartiality of central institutions and this trend should stop now. @INCChhattisgarh.'

https://x.com/SachinPilot/status/1904806166301204621

Earlier today, the CBI conducted searches on the residences of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel in a case allegedly related to the Mahadev betting app.

Baghel was set to reach Delhi today for the meeting of the All India Congress Committee's 'Drafting Committee' constituted for the AICC meeting to be held in Ahmedabad (Gujarat) on April 8-9.

Taking to a social media post today, the office of Bhupesh Baghel on his X handle wrote, 'Now CBI has come. Former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel is scheduled to go to Delhi today for the meeting of the 'Drafting Committee' constituted for the AICC meeting to be held in Ahmedabad (Gujarat) on April 8 and 9. Even before that, CBI reached Raipur and Bhilai residence. (Office-Bhupesh Baghel)'

Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao criticised Congress for linking the CBI raid at residence former CM Bhupesh Baghel to politics and stated that the raid by CBI was part of the ongoing probe in the case.

Sao said that central agencies like CBI are independent agencies and never take action on the basis of politics. Sharpening his attacks, he further claimed that several big corruptions took place during the regime of Bhupesh Baghel's tenure.

Slamming Congress, the Deputy CM said that every time such actions are taken, Congress links it to politics.

'When Congress was ruling the state and Bhupesh Baghel was the CM, so many big corruptions happened and ED and CBI are continuously probing these corruptions...today, CBI is conducting raids at over 50 various locations in Chhattisgarh. Some IPS officers, other officials and political leaders are also being raided...this CBI action is part of the probe...raid is not happening at the residence of one single person...so many people are being raided, so linking it to politics is not right. Congress links it to politics every time such an action is being taken... Who was the CM when these scams were taking place? If CBI is investigating, he should support the investigation... These are independent agencies and never take action on political basis. There is no such situation in the country. This probe is going on since long time and isn't a part of politics. Accusing someone is not right,' Sao told ANI. (ANI)