Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Denies ₹508 Crore Payment Claims Amid Political Turmoil

Chhattisgarh's Chief Minister, a prominent Congress leader, issued a vehement denial on social media, challenging the claims made by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) that he had received a staggering ₹508 crore from the Mahadev Online betting app.

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Chhattisgarh's Chief Minister, a prominent Congress leader, issued a vehement denial on social media, challenging the claims made by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) that he had received a staggering ₹508 crore from the Mahadev Online betting app.

The Chief Minister raised concerns about the timing of the ED's investigation, alleging that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was attempting to influence the upcoming Chhattisgarh elections by employing government agencies like the ED, IT, DRI, and CBI.

According to the ED, they apprehended a "cash courier" named Ashim Das, who was purportedly dispatched from the UAE to deliver ₹5 crore to CM Baghel for Chhattisgarh Assembly election expenses. Asim Das has been arrested by the agency in Raipur, where ₹5.39 crore in cash was discovered. The ED claimed that he was sent by the Mahadev App promoters from the UAE specifically to provide a substantial amount of cash for the electioneering expenses of the ruling Congress Party.

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In response, Chief Minister Baghel pointed out that while the ED had made sensational claims regarding the Congress leader's financial transactions with the Mahadev App, they also stated that the matter was under investigation. This raised questions about the veracity of the allegations.

Chhattisgarh is preparing for Assembly Elections on November 7 and November 17, with the results scheduled for December 3.

The political landscape in Chhattisgarh has become increasingly contentious, with the Congress party characterizing the ED as "Modiastra" - Prime Minister Narendra Modi's final weapon - aimed at tarnishing the reputations of its leaders. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticized the BJP's desperation and emphasized that the people of Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan were the Congress party's "kavach" or shield. Ramesh contended that the Prime Minister's tactics and threats would only strengthen the resolve of voters who see these actions as mere election theatrics.