‘Playing vendetta politics': Congress accuses BJP of misusing central agencies against Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Bhagel

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'Modi-astra ED': Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel, Congress hit out at BJP over ₹508 crore Mahadev app payment claim Another Congress leader, K C Venugopal, said there is a clear-cut conspiracy to tarnish Baghel's image and people will give a befitting reply to the BJP. Yesterday Bhagel also reacted to ED's claim.

He said that there cannot be a bigger joke than this and that the BJP wants to contest the upcoming Chhattisgarh polls with the help of its 'agencies'. Also read: Chhattisgarh CM received ₹508 crore from Mahadev App promoters, claims ED "Can there be a bigger joke? If today I catch hold of someone and ask him to take PM Modi's name, will they (ED) interrogate him? It has become very easy to destroy someone's reputation," Baghel said.

Yesterday, the probe agency said that a forensic analysis and a statement made by a "cash courier" have led to "startling allegations" that Mahadev betting app promoters have so far paid about ₹508 crore to Baghel and that "these are a subject matter of investigation". Senior BJP leader Smriti Irani on Saturday accused the Congress of using "hawala" money brought by illegal betting operators to fund its poll campaign in Chhattisgarh as it targeted Baghel over the allegation that he received over ₹500 crore kickback.