In a recent statement made during India TV‘s Chunav Manch on October 29, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel exuded confidence in the Congress party’s ability to maintain its hold on power in the upcoming assembly elections, predicting a resounding victory by securing 75 out of the total 90 seats.

Baghel emphasized the palpable enthusiasm among voters for the Congress and asserted that their victory in the forthcoming elections would surpass the success achieved in the previous elections five years ago. He remained undaunted by ongoing investigations by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Income Tax department, stating, “Let ED, I-T carry out as many raids as they want, we shall win 75 seats compared to 68 last time.”

Furthermore, Baghel took the opportunity to criticize the Modi government, alleging the misuse of ED and I-T for political purposes. He made a striking comparison, saying, “Right now in different towns and cities of Chhattisgarh, ED people are moving around like stray dogs that move around in localities.”

As per the company the Mahadev betting app scam, in which significant sums of money were laundered, the Chief Minister underlined that Chhattisgarh police had arrested over 450 individuals and seized laptops and electronic devices.

He expressed his disappointment that rather than apprehending the app’s operators based outside India, the ED had conducted raids on his Officer on Special Duty (OSD) and political advisor, suggesting connections between the gaming app operators and certain prominent BJP leaders.

Baghel also questioned the Centre’s failure to ban the gaming app despite these allegations. He argued that the Mahadev gaming app had its roots during the tenure of former Chief Minister Raman Singh in 2017.

Regarding the ED’s recent chargesheet, which alleged a loss of Rs 2,161 crore in excise revenue to the exchequer due to a liquor scam involving bureaucrats, politicians, and individuals, Baghel contended that the excise policy was formulated during Raman Singh’s tenure.

He criticized the ED for not taking action against liquor manufacturers, even when significant irregularities were found, including the discovery of Rs 56 crore worth of ornaments in one manufacturer’s home.

Baghel maintained that his government had efficiently collected nearly Rs 6,000 crore in excise revenue from liquor, an increase from the Rs 3,900 crore collected during Raman Singh’s rule.

He pointed out that even the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) had not found any irregularities in the liquor excise case, suggesting that only the ED was pursuing action in this matter.

In his final critique, the Chief Minister accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of spreading misinformation, specifically concerning the procurement of paddy from farmers.

He claimed that it is the state government, not the Centre, that purchases paddy from Chhattisgarh’s farmers and sells it, even at a loss.

Baghel highlighted the disparity in paddy prices, stating that Chhattisgarh offers Rs 1,900 per quintal while other regions like Benares and Gujarat provide only Rs 1,200-1,300 per quintal.

Bhupesh Baghel’s comments set the stage for an intense and closely-watched electoral contest in Chhattisgarh, where the Congress party aims to secure a larger majority in the upcoming assembly elections.