Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Monday alleged that the Enforcement Directorate was working at the behest of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Central government to "defame" him ahead of the polls in the Mahadev betting app case. He also urged the Election Commission of India to intervene into the matter.
"When ED has released a press release to defame someone, then Election Commission should take cognizance of this. Press release was issued by ED and video was released by BJP...ED is BJP and BJP is ED," Baghel said while speaking to news agency ANI.
Earlier in the day, Congress party said it has decided to approach the ECI over the matter as Baghel has dismissed the allegations saying the issue was being raked up keeping in mind the election in the state.
"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," Baghel said.
On Sunday, the Bharatiya Janata Party released a video in which one, Shubham Soni — accused in the case — claiming to be the owner of the betting app alleged that he had paid Rs 508 crore to Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and others.
Refuting such claims, the Chhattisgarh CM 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.
He 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.”