WATCH Video: Bhupesh Baghel Alleges BJP Goons Blocked Him From Polling Booth

The former Chhattisgarh chief minister that he was prevented from entering the polling booth to cast his vote by "goons" who he claimed were from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), on Friday.

Baghel took to social media platform X, where he wrote that workers from the saffron camp were being accused of "intimidating and threatening" them.

Photo Credit: X-@bhupeshbaghel

He also urged Congress workers to ensure peace during polling and to encourage maximum voter turnout. In his post, he added that "BJP's departure is certain."

Bhupesh Baghel Alleges BJP Goons Blocked

Baghel criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his recent inheritance tax remark, labelling him as a "liar" while speaking to ANI, stating, "PM Modi is a liar." Baghel's candidate status for Rajnandgaon, one of the constituencies in polling today, is notable. The other constituencies that voted today in Chhattisgarh are Mahasamund and Kanker. Rajnandgaon is considered a high-profile constituency where there is a contest between Baghel, also known as "Kaka," and BJP MP Santosh Pandey.

The BJP has fielded Roop Kumari Chaudhary from the Mahasamund seat, while the Congress has fielded Tamradhwaj Sahu. From the Kanker constituency, the BJP has chosen Bhojraj Nag, while the Congress has gone with Biresh Thakur. Baghel visited several polling booths on Friday and expressed optimism about voter turnout despite the soaring temperatures, mentioning, "There are long queues at the polling booth, and so far, 30-35% voting has occurred in Nangao, with even higher turnout in Maulamanpur and other places."

Baghel appealed to voters to exercise their franchise, stating, "Everyone must come out of their homes, reach the polling centre, and exercise their right to vote. Vote to save the Constitution and to preserve democracy." There has been a substantial increase in voter turnout in Chhattisgarh with a 35.47% voting percentage reported by the Election Commission of India till 11 am.