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The heat is on Bhupesh Baghel now!

Two arrests were made by the ED under section 19 of the PMLA Act last week and the remand note filed by it states clearly the whole case which involves several bureaucrats, film stars, comedians, singers and politicians

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3 years ago

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Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel

By Neeraj Mishra

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has swum against the Enforcement Directorate tide and survived to fight this 2023 elections. But with Prime Minister Narendra Modi directly attacking him after his name appeared in the Mahadev App gambling case, the pitch suddenly appears to have become dense for him. The ED has named Baghel directly as the recipient of Rs 508 crore from the kingpins of the Mahadev Satta App.

Two arrests were made by the ED under Section 19 of the PMLA Act last week and the remand note filed by it states clearly the whole case which involves several bureaucrats, film stars, comedians, singers and politicians. In short, the gaming app run by one Saurabh Chandrakar, originally a resident of Durg and now based in Dubai, with the help of some businessmen and bureaucrats, targeted people interested in betting on sports results. It spawned several gaming sites and the money was deposited in anonymous accounts of villagers who didn’t even know their bank accounts were being used.

The satta money rolling in is so huge that Chandrakar got married in Dubai and spent Rs 200 crore on his marriage function where stars from Ranbir Kapoor and Tiger Shroff to some lesser known Bollywood actresses and singers attended. The ED has already questioned the agency involved for having received Rs 112 crore through hawala. It appears Chandrakar has close links with people close to Baghel like Vinod Verma, according to the ED. Verma had been questioned but nothing concrete was found on him. But there are five people under ED custody right now including a head constable. Three kingpins, including Saurabh, are in Dubai.

It appears the latest episode began last week when Asim Das and Bhim Singh Yadav were arrested with Rs 5 crore. Hotel Triton in Raipur, which does very low business, is being used by the operators of Mahadev App to store cash and transfer it to people close to Baghel for election purpose.

At a public meeting in Rajnandgaon, the PM alleged that Baghel was recipient of hush funds from Dubai. He also egged people to name him as corrupt and involved in making money through satta. It appears an email sent by Chandrakar to Das names Baghel, asking Das to deposit funds with the latter. The mail has been sent from Dubai and subsequently Das was arrested with the money and has accepted that Baghel was the ultimate recipient of the money.

Baghel, on his part, has vehemently denied any wrongdoing. “I will get hundreds of people to write on stamp paper that they have given money to Modi, does that mean ED will question him,” the CM asked. In the coming days, the BJP will raise the pitch on the Mahadev App and satta money and it will be difficult for Baghel to answer.

So far no one had directly named him in any of the mining or excise scam inquiries, it is the first time his name appears anywhere related to illegal slush funds. This may eventually impact the post-election scenario as well.

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India News

Nitish Kumar’s son Nishant among 32 inducted in Bihar cabinet expansion

Nishant Kumar entered the Bihar cabinet for the first time as 32 ministers from NDA allies took oath in a major expansion of the state government.

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2 hours ago

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May 7, 2026

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Bihar government cabinet

A major cabinet expansion took place in Bihar on Thursday, with 32 leaders from the ruling NDA alliance inducted into the state government. Among the prominent names was Nishant Kumar, son of former Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, who entered the cabinet for the first time.

The expansion included representatives from all major NDA allies in the state. According to reports, the BJP secured 15 ministerial berths, while JD(U) got 13 positions. Two ministers were inducted from Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), while Hindustani Awam Morcha and Rashtriya Lok Morcha received one berth each.

The oath-taking ceremony was held in Patna in the presence of senior NDA leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

Nishant Kumar’s induction comes weeks after he formally entered active politics. His entry into the Bihar cabinet is being viewed as a significant development for JD(U), which had long projected an anti-dynasty image under Nitish Kumar’s leadership.

The cabinet reshuffle follows Nitish Kumar’s move to the Rajya Sabha earlier this year and the formation of the government led by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary.

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PM Modi marks Operation Sindoor anniversary, calls it India’s firm stand against terrorism

PM Modi said Operation Sindoor showcased India’s firm response against terrorism while paying tribute to the armed forces on the operation’s first anniversary.

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8 hours ago

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May 7, 2026

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PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said Operation Sindoor demonstrated India’s firm response against terrorism and highlighted the country’s commitment to national security.

Marking one year of the operation, the Prime Minister praised the courage, precision and professionalism of the Indian armed forces. He said the military action was carried out in response to the Pahalgam terror attack that had claimed the lives of 26 civilians in 2025.

Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7, 2025, as a calibrated tri-services operation targeting terror infrastructure linked to cross-border terrorism. Reports said the operation showcased coordinated action by the armed forces and was seen as a major counter-terror response by India.

On the anniversary of the operation, PM Modi also changed the display pictures across his social media platforms, including X, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. The image carried the text “Operation Sindoor” along with the Indian tricolour design.

The Indian Air Force also shared visuals and messages recalling the operation and highlighting India’s military response. A video released by the force described the operation as a strong message against terrorism and referred to the precision strikes carried out during the mission.

Operation Sindoor was launched following the Pahalgam terror attack, after which India carried out strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, according to official statements and reports published at the time.

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Vijay meets Tamil Nadu Governor again as TVK pushes to prove majority

TVK chief Vijay held another meeting with Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar as the party intensified efforts to secure majority support after emerging as the single-largest party in the Assembly elections.

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8 hours ago

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May 7, 2026

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Actor vijay

Actor-turned-politician Vijay met Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar again on Thursday as his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), continued efforts to prove it has enough support to form the next government in the state.

TVK emerged as the single-largest party in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly after winning 108 seats, but it remains short of the majority mark of 118.

The Congress has extended support to TVK, adding five MLAs to Vijay’s side. However, the alliance still needs additional backing from other parties or independents to comfortably cross the halfway mark.

According to reports, the Governor has not yet been fully convinced that TVK currently has the required numbers to form a stable government. This has delayed clarity over the swearing-in ceremony and the formal invitation to form the government.

Political activity intensified after reports emerged that some AIADMK legislators were moved to a resort in Puducherry amid speculation over possible support to TVK. AIADMK leaders, however, publicly denied any internal crisis.

TVK sources have expressed confidence that the party will be able to demonstrate majority support during discussions with the Governor.

The Tamil Nadu election results marked a major political shift in the state, with TVK breaking the long-standing dominance of the DMK and AIADMK in its first Assembly election contest.

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