PM Modi attacks Bhupesh Baghel, Congress over 'Mahadev' betting app row

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday criticised Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel over the alleged ‘Mahadev’ betting app scam. While addressing a public meeting in Durg city, PM Modi asked Baghel to explain his connections to the people involved in the scam. PM Modi also 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. He accused the Congress party of verbally attacking him and the Other Backward Classes (OBC) community, but stated that he was not afraid of such criticism. “Congress government in Chhattisgarh has not spared any chance to loot you. They have not even spared the name of ‘Mahadev’. 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 poor and youth of Chhattisgarh. Congress leaders have been filling their houses with the same money,” PM Modi said, according to PTI.

“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. With inputs from PTI