Chhattisgarh House Sees Uproar As Cong. Seeks Debate On Opium Crop Linked To BJP Leader
9 March 2026 9:51 PM IST9 March 2026 9:51 PM IST
Baghel backed his party colleague’ charges saying that the servant of the BJP leader was made accused number one in the FIR filed in the case whereas Tamrakar was made accused number three: Reports
Chhattisgarh Assembly — Screengrab/YouTube
Raipur: The Chhattisgarh Assembly witnessed noisy scenes on Monday after the Opposition Congress demanded a discussion on the alleged cultivation of opium on land owned by a BJP leader in Durg district.
The Speaker rejected an adjournment motion moved by Congress members on the issue, prompting party MLAs to enter the Well of the House in protest.
The disruption led to the automatic suspension of 29 Congress MLAs, which was later revoked by the Speaker.
The controversy relates to the seizure of opium crops on five acres of land owned by Vinayak Tamrakar, leader of the farmers’ wing of the Chhattisgarh BJP, in Samoda village of Durg district on March 7.
The issue came to light after former chief minister and senior Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel posted photographs of the alleged opium cultivation on social media. A complaint was subsequently lodged at the local police station by the village sarpanch.
Following the development, the BJP suspended Tamrakar from the party.
Raising the issue in the Assembly, Leader of the Opposition Charan Das Mahant alleged that the local administration had shielded the illegal activity of the BJP leader.
Backing the allegation, Mr Baghel said the servant of the BJP leader had been made accused number one in the FIR, while Tamrakar was listed as accused number three.
“This is a ploy by the police to bail out Tamrakar in the case,” he alleged.
Mr Baghel also claimed that bouncers had been deployed at the site to prevent local villagers from visiting the area.
Responding to the allegations, Chhattisgarh deputy chief minister Vijay Sharma, who holds the home portfolio, said the government acted promptly after Durg police received information about the opium cultivation and conducted raids at the site.
The disruption led to the automatic suspension of 29 Congress MLAs, which was later revoked by the Speaker.
The controversy relates to the seizure of opium crops on five acres of land owned by Vinayak Tamrakar, leader of the farmers’ wing of the Chhattisgarh BJP, in Samoda village of Durg district on March 7.
The issue came to light after former chief minister and senior Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel posted photographs of the alleged opium cultivation on social media. A complaint was subsequently lodged at the local police station by the village sarpanch.
Following the development, the BJP suspended Tamrakar from the party.
Raising the issue in the Assembly, Leader of the Opposition Charan Das Mahant alleged that the local administration had shielded the illegal activity of the BJP leader.
Backing the allegation, Mr Baghel said the servant of the BJP leader had been made accused number one in the FIR, while Tamrakar was listed as accused number three.
“This is a ploy by the police to bail out Tamrakar in the case,” he alleged.
Mr Baghel also claimed that bouncers had been deployed at the site to prevent local villagers from visiting the area.
Responding to the allegations, Chhattisgarh deputy chief minister Vijay Sharma, who holds the home portfolio, said the government acted promptly after Durg police received information about the opium cultivation and conducted raids at the site.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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