"Why are they not banning the App?" Chhattisgarh CM Baghel takes on Centre over Mahadev betting app case

Oct 20, 2023

Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India], October 20 : Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Friday questioned the Centre in connection with the Mahadev online betting app case asking why it hasn't still banned the app.
In an exclusive interview with ANI, Baghel asked why the Centre is not doing an investigation into the matter while the state held a probe and arrested 400 people in connection with the case.
"In the entire country, only two or three states might have done an investigation on this. We have done an investigation. More than 400 people have been arrested. We have ordered lookout notices," CM Baghel said while speaking to ANI.
He further said, "However the State Government can not ban this App, only the Central Government can do this. Why are they not banning the App? Have they taken election funds from them? Why investigations and arrests are not being done in this case? We have done an investigation, why are you not doing an investigation? The biggest question is what are your relations with them?"
Speaking on the ongoing Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Income Tax (IT) raids in the country, the Chief Minister alleged that the Centre has no schemes but is just trying to defame.
"They (Central government) have no schemes, they are not fit to fight. So they are just trying to defame. They are not able to prove anything, just organising raids. To come into power they can go down at any level. They don't care whether farmers are facing loss," CM Baghel said.
He added, "They are not getting any chance (to arrest me) otherwise are they going to leave me. They are misusing their powers."
CM Baghel accused the BJP of continuously telling lies saying that there was a double-engine government but Naxalism increased.
"They (the BJP) are continuously telling lies. There was a double-engine government, but Naxalism increased. Our government came, and we tried to win everyone's trust. We talked to everyone - tribals, businessmen, youth etc. Then we made a strategy. Now, the Naxalites have stepped back," CM Baghel said.
The Election Commission has announced that the first phase of polling for 20 seats in Chhattisgarh will be held on November 7, and the remaining 70 seats in Chhattisgarh will go to polls on November 17.
Polls will be held in Mizoram on November 7, Chhattisgarh on November 7 and November 17, Madhya Pradesh on November 17, Rajasthan on November 25 and Telangana on November 30.
The counting of votes will take place on December 3 in all the states. Of the five states, polling in Chhattisgarh will be held in two phases.
The Model Code of Conduct has come into force with the announcement of poll dates. The elections to five states are crucial as they are being held months before the Lok Sabha elections in April-May next year.