A video apparently showing a Congress MLA from Chhattisgarh sitting in front of bundles of cash has sparked a controversy, with the BJP alleging "corruption" in the state and the politician in question claiming it was a plot to smear his image, news agency PTI reported. Chhattisgarh BJP general secretary OP Choudhary tweeted this video on his social media profile on Sunday, stating that the Congress has turned Chhattisgarh into a nest of corruption. MLA Ramkumar Yadav is seen in the video sitting on a sofa next to a bed where bundles of cash are deposited. A second man is seen seated alongside Yadav, but the face of a third person sitting next the cash on the bed is not seen.
Taking to X, Choudhary stated: “Will Congress accept this video in which bundles of notes are placed in front of its MLA or if it has any doubt over the video, will it show the courage to hand over the matter to CBI for investigation?”
Yadav, who represents the Chandrapur seat, identifies as poor and lives in a home built under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, according to him.
"His father and grandfather used to graze cattle as well, as he claims. But see the bundle of cash kept in front of him in this video going viral on social media. All Congressmen have looted Chhattisgarh for five years. Congress's culture of corruption and Mafia Raj... There is a mafia raj in everything, including fly ash, sand, coal, liquor…” the BJP leader was quoted by PTI in its report.
Choudhary told media that Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel should have the fortitude to recognise the "truth" of the video and take action against his party's MLA.
If Baghel has any doubts about the video, he should urge a CBI investigation, he added.
MLA Ramkumar Yadav retaliated, calling the video a "feudal conspiracy" by "feudalists who can't digest when a poor son becomes MLA."
“Those who have posted this video only can tell its objective. Neither I am looking at the money nor was my attention towards it. I was just sitting there and something was being told to me. It seems it was posted just to malign my image as I come from a poor family,” he claimed.
Speaking about the video, he asked: “ If I get photographed with an aircraft does it mean I become its owner? If Ramkumar gets photographed with a big palace, will he become its owner?" Assembly elections in Chhattisgarh is scheduled to be held later this year.