NEW DELHI: Enforcement Directorate officials raided the residences and offices of eight Congress leaders, including two MLAs and the state party treasurer, in Chhattisgarh, which is hosting the 85th plenary session of the Congress. The action is related to the coal scam. This is the first time that the ED is targeting the legislators, having earlier arrested industrialists and officials in the case. Congress responded that such actions were expected as the plenary session was being held from February 24.

Simultaneous raids took place at the Bhilai-Durg and Raipur residences and offices of Chief Minister Bhupesh Bagel's loyalist Durg MLA Devendra Yadav, Chandradev Rai from Bilaigarh, party leaders Ramgopal Aggarwal, State Congress Treasurer and nagrik apurti nigam chairperson Sunny Aggarwal, Karmakar Mandal President Sunny Aggarwal, Congress spokesperson RP Singh, Housing Board Director Vinod Tiwari and Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation Chairperson Girish Devangan.

Congress MLA Devendra Yadav is one of the main organizers of the plenary session. The ED had earlier arrested Saumya Chaurasia, Deputy Secretary in the Chief Minister's office in connection with the coal deal.

'An attempt to divert attention from the Adani controversy. Congress cannot be demoralized by raiding the organizers. BJP is disappointed with the success of 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' and the exposure of Adani's truth. The nation will know the truth and we will fight and win.'

-Bhupesh Baghel, Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh

'They don't raid houses that need to be inspected. We want to make it clear that we are not hiding anything. The raids are the latest example of revenge politics.'

-Jayaram Ramesh, AICC General Secretary