'BJP Contesting Polls With ED's Help': Baghel Reacts To Video Against Him In Mahadev Betting App Case

Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel alleged that the video against him in the Mahadev betting app case was released by the BJP just before polling for electoral gains.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel denounced the Bharatiya Janata Party after it released a video in which the Mahadev betting app case accused Shubham Soni who said he was the owner of the app and claimed that he had the evidence that Rs 508 crore were paid to Baghel and others. Baghel alleged that the statement was released at such a time — with Chhattisgarh going for the first phase of polling on Tuesday— only to benefit the BJP. 

"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," Baghel said in a post on X. 

"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. 

The Chhattisgarh CM said he did not know Soni and neither met him “in the way he is claiming” adding “I can't say if he was a part of any gathering or function.” 

“Secondly, this person is claiming that he is the owner of 'Mahadev App'. Surprisingly, even the ED, the agency which has been investigating this case for months, was not aware of this and till two days ago, the ED was calling him a manager,” Baghel said. 

In the video released by BJP, Soni expressed his frustration at not receiving the desired results despite the payments and said that the enforcement agency has started a probe against him. 

He also appealed to the Indian government for help saying that he was trapped in the political system and wished to return to India.  "I am scared," he said. 

In another X post on Sunday, Baghel said that finally the Centre came to senses and imposed a ban on the Mahadev app. He also flagged that he had earlier asked as to why the Central government was not banning the betting app, and alleged that the ban wasn’t being imposed either due to "greed of 28 percent GST" or dealings between BJP and the app operators. 

Calling for Soni’s arrest from Dubai, the Congress leader said that it was the Chhattisgarh Police that first issued a look-out notice against him, adding that the state police would also like to take him in remand and interrogate him.