Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday took a firm stance against Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, as he delved into the controversial 'Mahadev' betting app scandal. At a public gathering in the city of Durg, Modi wasted no time in demanding that the Congress leader clarify any connections he might have with the individuals implicated in the case.
Modi's address came on the heels of a significant revelation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). According to the ED, a combination of forensic analysis and a statement provided by a 'cash courier' has unearthed "startling allegations." It is alleged that the promoters of the Mahadev betting app have disbursed approximately Rs 508 crore to Chief Minister Baghel to date.
"Congress government in Chhattisgarh has not spared any chance to loot you. They have not even spared the name of 'Mahadev'. Just two days ago, a major action was taken (by the Enforcement Directorate) in Raipur and a huge pile of cash was recovered. People are saying that this is the money belonging to 'sattebaj' (those involved in betting) and they have collected it by looting the poor and youth of Chhattisgarh. Congress leaders have been filling their houses with the same money," Modi said.
Not only did Modi confront this alarming development, but he also made a notable announcement regarding his government's flagship initiative, the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana. This scheme, aimed at providing free rations to 80 crore impoverished citizens, will be extended for an additional five years.
In the midst of these revelations, Modi did not shy away from attacking the Congress, which he accused of systematically abusing him and the entire Other Backward Classes (OBC) community. His resolve remained unwavering, asserting that he was unafraid of facing such verbal onslaughts.
The recent actions by the Enforcement Directorate in Raipur, culminating in the discovery of a significant amount of cash, are believed to be the ill-gotten gains of individuals involved in betting. These unscrupulous elements, it is alleged, have profited at the expense of the impoverished and the youth of Chhattisgarh, filling the coffers of Congress leaders in the process.
Modi went on to address the media reports linking the seized money to him, which he interpreted as an indirect reference to Chief Minister Baghel. In a pointed manner, he challenged the Congress government and the chief minister to come clean on their connections with the accused, who are reportedly operating from Dubai.
The Prime Minister minced no words in his critique of the Congress, suggesting that their primary focus is the accumulation of wealth through corrupt practices. He alleged that the Chhattisgarh Congress government systematically demands a 30% commission in every endeavor.
Modi underlined his commitment to the nation's impoverished citizens, emphasizing that for him, their well-being is paramount. He portrayed himself as a 'sevak' or servant of the poor, dedicated to their upliftment.
The Prime Minister also touched upon the divisive tactics of political parties and their attempts to sow the seeds of casteism among the impoverished. He accused them of conspiring to divide society along caste lines.
Conclusively, Modi painted the Congress as an obstacle to the betterment of the poor, alleging that the party's actions and words belie their true intentions. He raised the issue of the Congress abusing an OBC Prime Minister and questioned their labeling of the 'Sahus,' a prominent OBC community in Chhattisgarh, as thieves.
"Congress abused the OBC prime minister. Why does Congress abuse the OBC community? Why do they call 'Sahus' (an influential OBC community in Chhattisgarh) thieves?" he asked.
In the backdrop of these explosive revelations, the Chhattisgarh assembly elections, comprised of 90 seats, are slated to be conducted in two phases on November 7 and 17, making this a crucial moment in the state's political landscape.
Also Read | Mahadev Online Book app founders deny accusation of betting racket involvement
