Between these two events, one important news that went unnoticed was ED serving another notice, three in the span of 20 days, to Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren to appear for interrogation on August 24. Through its second notice ED had asked him to report to its Ranchi office on August 14. Retaliating to the notice Hemant had threatened to move Supreme Court against ED for harassing and resorting to vindictive actions. While Hemant is yet to approach the SC, the ED has struck hard.

Nevertheless political circle is agog with the news of possible arrest of both Baghel and Hemant. In fact, ED has been preparing ground to crack on them well before the Chhattisgarh assembly election. This is the part of the high-stake political game of Narendra Modi. There is speculation that both the leaders have been offered a political deal. Baghel has been asked to break away from the Congress, form his state level party and contest the assembly election in association with the BJP. Failing which Baghel will have to land in jail in three scam cases. There is total confusion in Raipur among both the Congress and the BJP. Some Congress leaders are fearing that they are ED and CBI’s next target.

Hemant too has been advised to part company with the Congress and form a new government with the support of BJP. Both the leaders are of immense importance for the BJP. With Baghel quitting the Congress the financial channel of the Congress would get chocked. About Hemant, the BJP can go to any extent for roping in him. He in the recent times has emerged as the only tribal face at the national level. Whether the tribal is from Maharashtra or Telangana or Rajasthan, he looks towards him as his leader. The BJP notwithstanding its best efforts ,has not succeeded in projecting a saffron tribal leader.

The most important reason nevertheless has been the two states have been of enormous importance for Adani. He has his business interest in both the states. While Baghel nurses some soft corner for Adani, Hemant has proved to be anathema for him. Adani has more business interest in Jharkhand than in Chhattisgarh. Adani’s power project which would supply power to Bangladesh is based in Jharkhand.

ED director Sanjay Mishra has arduous task at his hand; to ensure Modi wins the 2024 Lok Sabha election and becomes the prime minister for the third term. While seeking extension of his blue-eyed boy, director of ED, Sanjay Mishra, Modi through the solicitor general had made the solemn promise to the Supreme Court that the agency would not resort to vindictive action and Mishra would simply focus on his task to complete the reviewing the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) that will grade India on its laws being compliant with the international protocols on tackling money laundering and financial terrorism. But it does not appear that ED is keeping his promises. Modi’s reliance on Mishra makes it explicit that he is indispensable for him. Modi relies on him more than on any one else. He would not dispense with him till the election verdict of 2024 elections are out.

If the sources are to be relied, Modi is contemplating to make him the CIO of India (chief investigating officer) of the ED and CBI. His elevation as the CIO would formally be announced after September 15, the day he relinquishes the office of director of ED. What an innovative idea to circumvent the apex court. As Modi appointed Bipin Rawat, his favourite officer, the CDS, he has the right to create a new post of CIO and appoint a person of his choice to this post.. The Supreme can do nothing about this executive power of the PM.

Under the new dispensation, directors of CBI and ED would report to him and also take order from him. It obviously implies that ED and CBI have to play much bigger role in future to ensure Modi’s victory at the polls. Already the ED and CBI have started their operations against prominent opposition leaders. With Lok Sabha scheduled to be held sometime in April or May, the latest move of centre attains much importance. This is precursor to the more aggressive and vindictive actions against the opposition leaders.

It is indeed doubtful whether Supreme Court can seek the clarification from Modi government why it was hell bent on continuing Mishra as the de facto chief of ED. Frankly speaking the modus operandi of the ED and it’s choosing the targets send the ominous indications that Mishra instead of focusing on the promised task, has been at his favourite job to harass and terrorise the opposition leaders.

Since Baghel and Hemant have been the pivot of the opposition unity, Modi through Mishra is simply trying to goad the two leaders and force them to succumb to his designs..It is significant to watch that Modi has turned more vindictive and aggressive for a month. Truely speaking his belligerence reflects his desperation and the sense of fear of losing the Lok Sabha election in 2024. There is no denying that for making Hemant and Baghel to fall in line and toe his dictates he would not hesitate to resort to hitting below the belt tactics. The CBI has already moved ahead to send Lalu Yadav to jail by approaching the Supreme Court to review the bail order of Jharkhand High Court.

Expressing her apprehension of Modi resorting to wicked designs, Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee told an administrative meeting with Durga Puja organisers on Monday; "Our home is facing torture every day. Yesterday also all night. No one told me. I came to know of it from the lawyer. They are breaking locks and entering in the house. There was no intimation. The boy (Abhishek Banerjee) got back only day before yesterday. Suddenly they arrived at four, five places. I got news that they left at six in the morning. They have been subjecting our home to torture daily”.

Accusing central agencies of illegal activities, she said, "The agency people enter into the house even if the person is not at home. They throw the helping hand who is there to prepare tea and take care of the house. They even do not have witnesses with them. How can there be a guarantee that you are not planting any explosives… That you are not planting a gun at the home… That you are not carrying crores of rupees in a box". The searches continued throughout the night and ended in the early hours of Tuesday. The sleuths collected “digital evidence” from computers, laptops and hard disks, the agency said.

The ED conducted searches at the premises of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel's political advisor Vinod Verma and an Officer on Special Duty (OSD). The exact case in connection with which the searches were being conducted was not yet known. However reacting to ED’s action, Baghel in a post on X said; "Respected Prime Minister and Mr. Amit Shah! Thank you very much for the priceless gift you have given me on my birthday by sending ED to my political advisor, OSD and close aides." The ED has been investigating cases relating to alleged coal scam, liquor scam, irregularities in the District Mineral Foundation fund and an online betting application. During last two days ED searched several houses in Raipur and Durg, apparently in connection with online betting activities. (IPA Service)