The political temperature in Chhattisgarh's capital soared on Wednesday as Congress workers took to the streets of Raipur in a significant demonstration. The protest, centered on the long-running National Herald case, saw party members attempting to gherao (surround) the local office of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Raipur Erupts in Political Protest
On 17 December 2025, Congress supporters gathered in large numbers, leading to heightened security around the BJP's office in Raipur. The demonstration was a direct response to recent developments in the National Herald case, a legal matter that has been a persistent flashpoint between the two national parties. Police were deployed in strength to maintain order and prevent the gherao from materializing fully, leading to a tense standoff at the site.
Congress Leadership Lashes Out at BJP
Leading the charge, senior Congress leader Deepak Baij launched a sharp attack on the ruling BJP. He alleged that the recent decision by a Delhi court had laid bare the BJP's political motives behind the case. "The BJP's conspiracy in the National Herald case has been exposed after the Delhi court's decision," Baij asserted during the protest. He framed the legal proceedings as a politically motivated tool to target and harass the opposition party, rather than a genuine judicial process.
Broader Implications and Political Repercussions
The protest in Raipur is not an isolated event but reflects the ongoing and intense political warfare between the Congress and the BJP. By taking the issue to the streets in a state capital, the Congress aims to galvanize its base and draw public attention to what it calls the government's misuse of investigative agencies. This public agitation signals that the National Herald case will continue to be a central theme in the opposition's strategy against the BJP-led central government, potentially setting the stage for similar demonstrations in other parts of the country. The event underscores how high-stakes legal battles are increasingly fought in the political and public arena, shaping the narrative for upcoming electoral contests.
