The Congress sought the Election Commission's immediate intervention on Wednesday (November 8) to stop the alleged misuse of the Enforcement Directorate during assembly elections, alleging that the probe agency was acting at the behest of the central government to disrupt the level-playing field. A Congress delegation met with election commissioners, alleging that the Mahadev betting app issue was being politicised in advance of the elections.
"We were dejected that we were not given time (to petition the EC) before the November 7 polling," Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi told reporters after the meeting. "The EC heard us, and we explained the alleged misuse of the ED in acting as the BJP's Election wing and disrupting the level-playing field during assembly elections in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan," he said.
"This is a serious and grave attack on the fundamental structure of the Constitution because the level playing field has been disrupted, and democracy cannot survive as a result. The BJP is attacking the fundamental structure of the Constitution, and we have sought EC protection," Singhvi said further.
He also stated that in the last 18 months, the Chhattisgarh Police have made nearly 500 arrests and seized laptops and money in connection with the Mahadev app issue, and the Congress has demanded the arrest of some people behind this betting platform as well as a ban on it.
However, as the Chhattisgarh assembly elections approached, the ED allegedly began conducting raids.
The ED claimed last week that forensic analysis and a statement made by a "cash courier" had led to "startling allegations" that Mahadev betting app promoters had paid about Rs 508 crore to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel so far, and that "these are the subject of investigation."
"While the ED itself is saying that 'it is subject to investigation,' (it is) using the statement of an accused to disturb the level-playing field today and vitiate the atmosphere ahead of the polls," Singhvi said, dismissing the charges, as reported by PTI.
"All of this is happening because the BJP is aware that it is losing the Chhattisgarh elections and is making desperate attempts to reclaim the state in the final phase. This demonstrates how you have undermined constitutional authorities, and we want the EC to ensure that this abuse of the ED ceases. It is self-evident to anyone on the ground that the BJP is facing a certain defeat in Chhattisgarh and has therefore enlisted the help of its ally ED," he claimed.
He condemned "the cheap politicisation of the Mahadev app issue" and stated that the party expected the EC to take immediate and prompt action, PTI reported.
Tariq Anwar and Udit Raj, both members of the Congress delegation, were also present.