'Congress didn't even spare Mahadev': PM Modi attacks Chhattisgarh CM over betting app row

At an election rally at Chhattisgarh's Durg, PM Modi said Congress does not want the poor to prosper, it does not want their condition to improve. "They don't even spare the name of 'Mahadev'," PM said, targetting the Congress govt in Chhattisgarh over alleged Mahadev betting app scam.

Durg (Chhattisgarh): During his election campaign today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday attacked Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel over the alleged 'Mahadev' betting app scam, and expressed concern that the Congress leaders were not even sparing the name of 'Mahadev'. The PM said the Congress CM should tell what links he has with the accused in the betting app case.

PM Modi addressed a public meeting in Durg town, Chhattisgarh, when he launched an unsparing attack on the Congress over the betting case. PM's attack came a day after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) claimed that a forensic analysis and a statement made by a 'cash courier' have led to "startling allegations" that Mahadev betting app promoters paid about Rs 508 crore to Chhattisgarh CM Baghel so far.

On this occasion, PM Modi announced that his government's free ration scheme Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana for 80 crore poor will be extended for next five years. Accusing the Congress of abusing him and the entire Other Backward Classes (OBC) community, Modi said he was not scared of abuses. He said that the Congress government in Chhattisgarh has not spared any chance to loot the people."

Modi said that just two days ago, a major action was taken (by the Enforcement Directorate) in Raipur and a huge pile of cash was recovered. People are saying that this is the money belonging to 'sattebaj' (those involved in betting) and they have collected it by looting the people of Chhattisgarh, he said. Congress leaders have been filling their coffers with this betting app money, Modi said.

In the media, it is being published that the money is linked to him, the PM said, apparently referring to CM Baghel. "The Congress government and the chief minister should tell the people of Chhattisgarh what link they have with the accused in this scam sitting in Dubai," he said. "Congress' priority is to fill its coffers by indulging in corruption...Chhattisgarh says '30 taka kakka, apka kaam pakka'," PM Modi said, alleging 30 per cent commission in every work in the Congress government.

The PM said that for him the biggest caste in the country is the 'poor', and said he was their 'sevak' (servant). He also accused political parties of hatching new conspiracies to divide the poor and spread the poison of casteism, he said. The PM said the Congress does not want the welfare of the poor and does not want their condition to improve. "Congress abused the OBC prime minister. Why does Congress abuse the OBC community? Why do they call 'Sahus' (an influential OBC community in Chhattisgarh) thieves?" he asked. Polling for the 90-member Chhattisgarh assembly will be held in two phases on November 7 and 17

Regarding to his today's rally, PM Modi posted a message on X, saying, "The welfare of the people of Chhattisgarh is the priority of BJP. I am addressing a huge public meeting in Durg." (with agency inputs)