'Satta Mein Reh Kar Satta': Smriti Irani Targets Chhattisgarh CM Baghel Over Alleged Betting App Scandal

Union Minister Smriti Irani attacked Chhattisgarh's Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, claiming he received Rs 508 crore from the developers of the Mahadev betting app.

The allegations emerged when yesterday a courier apprehended with Rs 5 crore disclosed to the Enforcement Directorate that the creators of the illegal application had paid Rs 508 crore to Baghel.

In the remand request for the courier in the court, the ED said, "This fact needs to be independently corroborated by this Directorate"

While attacking Baghel, Smriti Irani accused him of channeling funds from the betting platform to finance the Congress party's campaign in the upcoming Chhattisgarh elections.

"Congress is fighting Chhattisgarh election with the help of hawala operators. Shocking that we have use of hawala operation, illicit money through illegal betting to fund Congress campaign," Irani said at a press conference, NDTV reported.

"Never before in our electoral history have people seen such evidence. Satta (power) mein rah kar satta (betting) ka khel khela hai (he has played the game of betting while being in power)," she added.

In response, Baghel has accused the BJP of manipulating the central investigative bodies to target him ahead of state assembly elections scheduled for November 7 and 17.

Additionally, the Congress party released a statement asserting that the citizens of Chhattisgarh will give a befitting reply.

"This is a clear-cut conspiracy to tarnish Bhupesh Baghel's image. People will give befitting reply," Congress said on the charges.

Furthermore, the courier told the ED that the funds in his possession were intended to be delivered to one politician 'Baghel' for election expenses in Chhattisgarh.

These allegations surfaced just four days prior to the initial phase of the state's elections.

Investigative agencies only started scrutinizing the Mahadev app following a cash-only Rs 200-crore wedding in the UAE this February.

The application attracted media attention last month when Bollywood stars Ranbir Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor, who featured in its commercials, were called in by the Enforcement Directorate for questioning.

One of the accused, arrested by ED, had earlier claimed that police, politicians, and bureaucrats were given a stake in the app to keep the betting and hawala syndicate running.