New Delhi, Nov 4 : The BJP leveled allegations against the Congress, claiming that the latter was financing its Chhattisgarh poll campaign with hawala money brought in by illegal betting operators. The accusations specifically targeted Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, alleging that he had received kickbacks exceeding Rs 500 crore.
Union Minister Smriti Irani, speaking at a press conference, highlighted the unprecedented nature of the evidence presented. She accused Baghel of not relying on public support but instead on hawala and betting operators to fund his electoral campaign, stating, “Satta (power) me rah kar satta (betting) ka khel khela hai (he has played the game of betting while being in power).”
In response, Baghel accused the BJP of exploiting central investigation agencies to target him in the run-up to the state assembly polls scheduled for November 7 and 17. Irani countered by asserting that the Enforcement Directorate’s investigation was based on findings from Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh police, questioning whether Baghel was undermining his own government.
Irani referred to the probe’s findings, indicating that illegal betting operators had paid over Rs 64 crore in protection money to authorities. She further claimed that voice messages and statements from the accused implicated the use of betting money to finance the Congress’ campaign in the state and the alleged kickbacks to Baghel.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had announced on Friday that forensic analysis and statements from a ‘cash courier’ had uncovered “startling allegations” that Mahadev betting app promoters had paid approximately Rs 508 crore to Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, with these allegations forming the basis of an ongoing investigation.
