The Chhattisgarh Congress today launched a massive statewide protest, enforcing a chakka jam (road blockade) across all 33 districts of the state, to protest the Enforcement Directorate’s arrest of former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel’s son.
Demonstrations began early morning across Sarguja, Bastar, Durg, Bilaspur, and Raipur divisions. In Sarguja, Congress workers were seen singing “Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram” in a symbolic gesture of protest.
In Raipur, key traffic points were blocked including VIP Road near Shriram Mandir Chowk (Currency Tower), Dharsiwa, and Dhanelli. Protesters gathered in large numbers and blocked the National Highway. Similarly, in Dhamtari, Congress workers sat on the road at Sehradabri Signal on NH-30.
Protesters from all three assembly constituencies of the district participated, causing disruption on the Raipur-Jagdalpur highway.
Long queues of vehicles formed on both sides as slogans like “ED Bhagao, CBI Bhagao, Adani Bhagao, Pradesh Bachao” echoed.
Heavy police deployment is in place across all protest sites.
In Bilaspur, Congress workers blocked the busy Sakri-Pendridih flyover, severely affecting travel between Raipur and Bilaspur. However, school buses and ambulances have been given free passage. In Bastar, the chakka jam at Amaguda Chowk in Jagdalpur has brought NH-30, connecting Raipur to Odisha, to a standstill. Protesters continue shouting slogans against central agencies.
In Raigarh, the Kotara Road over bridge was blocked by Congress leaders including former MLAs and ex-mayors. Protesters sat on the road, raising slogans against the ED. Freight trucks and dumpers were also stopped. Congress district officials, senior leaders, and a large number of party workers participated in the blockade.
In Kharora, Congress workers blocked the Raipur-Balodabazar road at Azad Chowk. Among those present were former MP Chhaya Verma, district president Udayram Verma, sarpanch association president Abhishek Verma, Bablu Bhatia, Zubair Ali, Ankit Verma, Dinesh Verma, Pradeep Madhariya, and Jitendra Chandrakar, along with hundreds of others.
Former Congress MLA Vikas Upadhyay accused the BJP of selling out states to industrialists like Adani. “This fight is for jal, jungle, and zameen. BJP governments across India are acting arbitrarily. Illegal deforestation is happening in Tamnar, Raigarh, and no one is stopping it,” he said.
In Manendragarh, despite heavy rains, Congress workers blocked NH-43 (Katni-Gumla road). The protest site has been heavily guarded by police and traffic has been diverted from the main bus stand.
Congress leaders and workers warned that misuse of central agencies will not go unanswered. The protests have caused significant traffic disruptions across the state, with emergency services receiving conditional exemptions.
Congress leader and former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, has issued a sharp statement: “The ED is acting as the BJP’s wing. Their strike rate is barely one percent. This is nothing but political vendetta.” He also alleged that the “Adani Group is looting Chhattisgarh’s minerals with state support”.
Commenting on the resignation of the Vice President, Baghel added, “Storm warnings have been issued, but there seems to be a storm brewing inside Parliament too. This is no ordinary resignation.”
Congress leaders called the protest a success and vowed to continue resisting what they allege is the misuse of central investigative agencies and the state’s resources.
