Ahead Of Phase-1 Polling In Chhattisgarh, CM Baghel Faces The Heat For Mahadev App Case. Top Points

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel called on the Election Commission to take action against efforts to "tarnish" his government's image just days ahead of the polling.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel

Source : PTI

New Delhi: Amid the ongoing controversy over the now-illegal Mahadev betting app, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Monday highlighted the timing of the allegations and called on the Election Commission to take action against efforts to "tarnish" his government's image just days ahead of the polling.

Chhattisgarh goes to polls in two phases- November 7 and November 17.

The ED on Friday claimed that a forensic analysis and a statement made by a 'cash courier' have led to "startling allegations" that Mahadev betting app promoters paid about Rs 508 crore to Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel so far, and that "these are subject matter of investigation".

However, the Congress and Baghel have rejected the charges as politically motivated given the upcoming assembly polls.

Latest Updates On The Row:

• Congress has decided to approach the Election Commission of India in the matter. Confirming that the party would approach the poll body today, Baghel said, "Why has the Election Commission not taken cognizance of this? ... A complaint will be sent from us...Investigation should be done for the tarnishing image... There are clear directions in the guidelines of the Election Commission...They should look into this."
  
  
• The Centre has issued blocking orders against 22 illegal betting platforms, including Mahadev app and Reddyannaprestopro, on the Enforcement Directorate's request.
  
  
• Minister of State for Electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar alleged the Chhattisgarh government did not send any request to block these platforms despite having powers to do so. "Chhattisgarh Police and the Chhattisgarh Govt started the investigation 1.5 years ago but did not do anything regarding this. They wrote a letter, but no one knows to whom. They just wanted to stretch this investigation so that they can take money from the App. They have received Rs 508 crores from the App, and now they need to answer why they took it... ED requested us to block this App yesterday for the first time and we immediately blocked 22 such Apps...They did not give any application to the Central Govt to block this App in these 1.5 years," he said.
  
  
• In a post on X, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the ED has been investigating the Mahadev app case for several months but it was "surprising" that it took so much time to ban it.
  
  
• "The demand to ban Mahadev App was also first raised by Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on August 24, 2023. Instead of praising him, the Prime Minister deployed ED against him," Ramesh alleged. The Union minister is "clearly lying" about the fact that Chhattisgarh government had not demanded a ban on the Mahadev app, the Congress alleged.
  
  
• Reacting to a purported video released the the BJP in which the Mahadev betting app case accused Shubham Soni claimed to have evidence showing that Baghel and others were paid Rs 508 crore, he said, "It is no mystery why and how this video has come and it is also not difficult to understand that such a statement has been issued at the time of elections only to benefit the BJP."
  
  
• "Everyone also understands that this is being done by weaponising ED. In fact, BJP is now contesting elections with the help of ED and is using it to defame me," he added. 

• Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said, "Our colleague Smirit Irani gave a detailed statement on it yesterday. The accused that is caught has said that he has delivered Rs. 5 crores to the (Chhattisgarh) CM. He alleged that the promoters gave money to the CM. First, Rs. 5 crore was given and the allegation is Rs. 500 crore. I only want to ask whether there should be an investigation or not?... What is the ED's statement?... What demand are they (Congress) taking to the Election Commission?... Are they going to demand to the Election Commission that no matter what the corruption and the scam is, we don't want any inquiry? I don't understand what they are going to present before the EC. Even the common people are not able to understand this. I want to ask (Bhupesh) Baghel that if the accused has alleged that money has reached the CM, then an investigation should be conducted or not?"
  
  
• On Sunday, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) unveiled a video during a press conference in Delhi. In the video, Shubham Soni, an accused in the Mahadev Book betting app case, made startling claims regarding his involvement in the app and alleged financial transactions with Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and others, amounting to Rs 508 crore.