Smriti Irani attacks Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel amid Mahadev App row
New Delhi: Union Minister Smriti Irani unleashed a scathing attack on Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel in light of accusations suggesting that he received Rs 508 crore from the backers of the Mahadev betting application.
These allegations were made after a courier, apprehended with Rs 5 crore, informed the Enforcement Directorate that the illicit app's promoters had paid Rs 508 crore to Baghel.
Smriti Irani, attacking the leader, claimed that he was using the betting money to fund the Congress campaign in Chhattisgarh, which goes to polls later this month.
"Congress is fighting Chhattisgarh election with the help of hawala operators. Shocking that we have use of hawala operation, illicit money through illegal betting to fund Congress campaign," Irani was quoted as saying by NDTV.
"Never before in our electoral history have people seen such evidence. Satta (power) me rah kar satta (betting) ka khel khela hai (he has played the game of betting while being in power)," she added.
Countering the attack, Baghel has alleged that the BJP is employing central investigative agencies to target him in anticipation of the state assembly elections scheduled for November 7 and 17. The Congress party has also released a statement asserting that the people of Chhattisgarh will respond resolutely.
Congress has termed the allegations a ‘conspiracy’ to malign Bhupesh Baghel's image.
The courier has informed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) that the money in his possession was intended for delivery to a politician named 'Baghel' for election expenses in Chhattisgarh.
These allegations emerged just four days ahead of the first phase of elections in the state.
The scrutiny on the Mahadev app intensified following a Rs 200-crore wedding in the UAE this February, which was entirely paid for in cash.
The app gained notoriety last month when Bollywood actors Ranbir Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor, who had featured in advertisements for the app, were summoned by the Enforcement Directorate for questioning.
One of the individuals under investigation, who was apprehended by the ED, had previously asserted that police officers, politicians, and government officials were given a share in the app's proceeds to sustain the betting and hawala syndicate.
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