Punjab: Leader of Opposition Pratap Singh Bajwa has come out in support of former Chhattisgarh chief minister and Punjab Congress in-charge Bhupesh Baghel after the CBI named him in an FIR related to a betting scam. The agency’s move has raised fears of opposition leaders being targeted. Bajwa said Baghel’s firm commitment to Congress values sets him apart from others who have faced similar investigations.
“He is an honest leader, rooted in the values of justice and grassroots empowerment. Unlike some who have switched sides under pressure – Himanta Biswa Sarma moving to the BJP in 2015, Ajit Pawar’s defection in 2019, Eknath Shinde’s rebellion in 2022 or Suvendu Adhikari’s defection in 2020 – Baghel stands firm,” Bajwa said. He said Baghel’s tenure in Chhattisgarh was marked by social welfare initiatives, a testament to his dedication. The Punjab Congress said it views the FIR not as an indictment but as a potential abuse of institutional power to suppress dissent.
