‘Level-Playing Field Not Maintained’: Congress Slams ECI For Postponing Meet Over 'Misuse' Of ED
A subsequent meeting would have "no meaning" because the first-phase polling in Chhattisgarh will be finished by then, according to the Congress.
The Congress chastised the Election Commission on Monday for postponing a meeting with a party delegation trying to address the matter of the union government's alleged abuse of the Enforcement Directorate during assembly elections, news agency PTI reported. According to the party, the poll panel agreed in writing to meet with the party delegation on Monday but then postponed the meeting due to a "busy" schedule and notified it that a new meeting may be scheduled on November 9 or 10.
A subsequent meeting would have "no meaning" because the first-phase polling in Chhattisgarh will be finished by then, according to the Congress.
Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters, Congress leaders Abhishek Singhvi, Pramod Tiwari, Salman Khurshid, and Ranjeet Ranjan demanded that the Election Commission intervene immediately to stop the "misuse" of probe agencies, including the ED, which was continuing to conduct raids while the election was underway and the model code of conduct was in effect.
According to the party, this is a blatant breach of the model code of conduct and disrupts the fair playing field, and the Election Commission must interfere quickly.
They said that the central government's abuse of investigation agencies disrupted the level playing field required for free and fair elections.
Singhvi alleged that during the assembly elections in Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, and Mizoram, the equal playing field was not maintained since investigative agencies were employed against opposition politicians.
He stated that it is the EC's responsibility to provide a fair playing field during any election, and that if it fails to do so, democracy itself is threatened.
He said that the government's use of the ED during the election was an attempt by the BJP to ruin the image of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, who is popular among the people.
Speaking with media, Singhvi stated: "It is definitely an attempt to obstruct free and fair elections, it is definitely an attempt to muddy the field because the BJP knows that they are losing badly, it is definitely an attempt to paint a black picture where they know that the janta realise the achievements of the Congress government."
According to the ED, forensic research and a confession made by a "cash courier" have led to "startling allegations" that Mahadev betting app entrepreneurs have paid around Rs 508 crore to the CM Bhagel thus far, and that "these are the subject of investigation."
Singhvi alleged that during a news conference, Baghel requested action from the Centre against the proprietors of the Mahadev app, who were operating from Dubai, despite the fact that the Chhattisgarh police had launched 72 FIRS, detained 450 people, and made many seizures.
He stated that, while the Chhattisgarh police had been investigating Mahadev app operators since March 2022, the ED had just begun investigating them six months ago and is now conducting raids and making disclosures with elections approaching.
When questioned regarding any further course of action, the Congress leader said: "Future course of action is same to make sure we educate the public through you and then keep trying, keep going to constitutional authorities, keep putting our point of view, whether they hear us or not, it is their job." Asked whether the chief minister had written to the ED for banning the app and arresting its owners for defrauding the people of Chhattisgarh, Singhvi said, "It is not necessary. You tell me under which law does ED wait.... Does ED ever wait for CM to write, I wish it were waiting for anybody. They selectively proceed wherever they want, they don't wait for anybody."
The ED is publishing a press release, while the BJP is conducting a press conference, and the so-called proprietor of the app is making a revelation from Dubai, according to Congress deputy leader in Rajya Sabha Pramod Tiwari.
"Ye rishta kya kehlata hai (what does this connection say)," Tiwari asked.
"Here the allegation comes first and the investigation is beginning later," he alleged, adding that this shows the bad intent on the part of the probe agency.
Tiwari further stated that the Mahadev app, along with 22 other applications, was suddenly blocked today, implying that betting has been ongoing all along.
He further stated that even though the programme has been prohibited, its files are still accessible.
Rajya Sabha MP from Chhattisgarh Ranjeet Ranjan said: "It is unfortunate that the Election Commission is not showing any interest and intervening in the matter." "Why did EC not take note of this earlier and when will the poll body act on ED's raids and whether that action will come after the election process is over," she asked.
She said that the ED move was just meant to smear the Chhattisgarh chief minister's image and branded the ED the "Election Department of the BJP."
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