Bhupesh Baghel
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel is currently embroiled in a corruption case related to the now-illegal Mahadev online betting app. He has accused the BJP of weaponizing the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against his government, calling it the ruling party’s electoral ally. Chhattisgarh is set to vote in two phases on November 7 and 17, and despite these allegations, Baghel appears confident about his re-election bid.
He has demanded that the Election Commission take action against attempts to tarnish his government’s image just before the polling. Baghel has also questioned the Election Commission’s inaction on this matter, citing clear guidelines in their rules.
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The Chief Minister highlighted the timing of these allegations, especially a video released by one of the accused, Shubham Soni, who claims to be the “real” owner of the app. Soni alleged that he had relocated to Dubai on Baghel’s advice and given him ₹508 crore.
Bhupesh Baghel has denied all allegations, questioned why the app was not shut down earlier, and criticized the ED for its actions. The central government has now blocked the Mahadev app and 21 others after the ED’s request, but Junior IT Minister Rajeev Chandrashekhar criticized Baghel’s government for not making the request themselves.
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Baghel believes that these allegations are politically motivated to benefit the BJP and accuses the ED of being used as a weapon against his government. He has also questioned the delay in action against Shubham Soni and the Mahadev app and claimed that Chhattisgarh Police was the first to flag the illegal syndicate.
Regarding the allegations linking him to Shubham Soni, who is wanted on money laundering charges, Baghel denies any one-on-one contact and states that he does not know Soni personally or recall meeting him in the manner he claims. The ED alleges a link between Soni and Baghel after seizing cash from a hawala courier, Asim Das, who claimed the money was meant for Baghel. ED sources suggest “regular payments” from Soni to Baghel.
