Deepak Baij, the head of Chhattisgarh Congress, asserted on Tuesday that the FIR filed against former state Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel in the alleged Mahadev online betting scandal was a deliberate ploy orchestrated by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The State's Economic Offences Wing (EOW) lodged the FIR earlier this month against Baghel and 18 others in connection with the Mahadev online betting case, following a probe report submitted by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Addressing a press conference, Baij condemned the FIR as a BJP-led conspiracy, suggesting it reflected the ruling party's apprehension and acknowledgment of their impending defeat in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel echoed Baij's sentiments, denouncing the FIR as a smear campaign aimed at tarnishing his image, orchestrated by the BJP in anticipation of electoral losses.
Baij further criticised the BJP-led Central government, accusing it of exploiting central investigative agencies as tools for coercion.
The Bastar MP highlighted previous instances where, he alleged, the BJP, via the ED, engaged in propaganda and levelled accusations in Chhattisgarh to sway election outcomes, even preceding the last assembly polls in 2023.
Additionally, Baij lambasted the BJP's handling of electoral bonds, branding it as the "biggest election donation scam" in the country. He asserted that electoral bonds were introduced to benefit the Narendra Modi-led government, facilitating intimidation of business entities through central agencies and subsequent extortion via electoral bonds.
Citing instances of companies purchasing electoral bonds after facing raids by central agencies, Baij raised concerns over the nexus between electoral donations and government contracts, claiming that numerous top donors to the BJP had been subject to raids.
Alleging that the BJP had amassed donations exceeding Rs 6,000 crore since 2019, Baij called upon the President of India, the Supreme Court, and the Election Commission of India to revoke the BJP's registration and prohibit its participation in electoral processes.
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