Smriti Irani Accuses Congress of Fighting Chhattisgarh Polls with Hawala Transactions
RAIPUR: Union minister Smriti Irani on Saturday accused chief minister Bhupesh Baghel of fighting the ensuing assembly elections in Chhattisgarh with hawala transactions ‘given as bribe to provide protection to the accused in the online betting scam’.
Ms Irani said that evidence gathered by the Central investigating agencies had suggested that money was given to the ‘political executives’ in Chhattisgarh through hawala operations by the promoters of online betting platform Mahadev App to fund Congress for the upcoming assembly elections in the state.
She cited the seizure of around Rs 5.30 crore from a ‘courier’ of the alleged Mahadev App scam accused in Raipur a couple of days ago and asked Mr Baghel to reveal if he had any link with the seized money.
She also cited the statement by the enforcement directorate saying that Rs 508 crore, the proceeds of the alleged scam, had reportedly gone to Mr Baghel and accused the chief minister of trying to remain in power with proceeds from betting scam.
“Congress is fighting assembly elections in Chhattisgarh with hawala money. This was the first time in the electoral history of India, a party is seen fighting elections with hawala money, not with the support of the people”, she said.
Chief minister Mr Baghel however dismissed the charges, describing it as a conspiracy to taint his image ahead of the ensuing assembly polls in Chhattisgarh.
