English हिन्दी
Connect with us

India News

Mahadev app potboiler heats up in Chhattisgarh

The Mahadev App episode may or may not impact voting patterns in the ongoing elections but it has great weight as a political tool.

Published

on

By Neeraj Mishra

The Mahadev betting app case involving Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel is getting curiouser. Over the past week, there have been enough twists and turns in it than an Agatha Christie play. With new characters, videos, drivers and attendants popping up with their set pieces. The BJP has released a video by one Shubham Soni, who claims to be the owner of the online gaming operation. He also adds for good measure that prime accused Saurabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal work for him; all three live in Dubai.

Soni alleges that he knows Baghel and his advisers very well. He says that he has given Rs 508 crore to Baghel through 2008 IPS officer Prahant Agarwal and one Verma. He claims he met the CM in the presence of one Bittu Bhaiyya following which he went to Dubai in September 2020 on the advise of the CM. He claims he had explained to Baghel about the Mahadev App and the CM said he should operate from Dubai. Later, when he ran into problems with the law, Baghel helped again by calling up Agarwal to sort them out.

On the other hand, the Congress released a statement claiming that the car seized from Asim Das with Rs 5 crore allegedly sent from Dubai through hawala channels belongs to MLA Brijmohan Agarwal’s brother. Das had been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) more than a week ago. Thus, the Congress alleges it is all a fixed match being played out to discredit the CM. Baghel, on his part, said Soni has been tortured to make this false statement.

A TV reporter now jumped into this pot with her sting operation. She met Abhishek Pallav, the Durg SP.  Pallav claimed in the recorded conversation that Baghel definitely knew about the Satta racket and Agarwal too is to blame for protecting the trio. He also reveals he had arrested some 450 people following instructions from top. This may have been done to wipe out the trail leading to important people. For the record, these 450 under arrest are satta players and not operators.

Now, the scene that is being built up is very interesting, both politically and legally. Mahadev App has been banned by the Government of India and money from it is obviously “proceeds of a crime”. The link from it is being established to reach Baghel through statements from Soni and an email allegedly from Saurabh Chandrakar from Dubai suggesting that the money was meant for Baghel and elections. So, legally, Baghel is in for a tough time like former Delhi Deputy CM Sisodia. In Sisodia’s case too, it has not been established that he was the ultimate beneficiary of the excise scam money nor any money found on him but it has been enough to keep him in jail for the past several months.

The Mahadev App episode may or may not impact voting patterns in the ongoing elections but it has great weight as a political tool. It appears the more the noise over the app, the more credibility Baghel stands to lose both within and outside the party. If he is indeed arrested or called for questioning, it will probably be after the second and last phase of polling on November 17 in the state.

He may not be called in at all too but the BJP’s attempt will be to pin him down with this. Baghel claims to be the only OBC face of the Congress and the BJP would not like him to be in the fray in 2024. So this Mahadev App investigation is important not for now alone but its after-effects will reverberate till next year.

India News

Abhishek Banerjee says will not bow to BJP after nearly 11 hours of ED questioning

After spending nearly 11 hours before the Enforcement Directorate, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said he would not bow to the BJP and accused the ruling party of using investigative agencies for political purposes.

Published

on

Abhishek Banerjee

Trinamool Congress leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday said he would not bow to the BJP after spending nearly 11 hours being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Speaking after the questioning, Banerjee alleged that central agencies were being used to target opposition leaders and asserted that he would continue his political fight despite what he described as sustained pressure.

The TMC leader has repeatedly maintained that investigations involving him are politically motivated, a charge he has made on several previous occasions while appearing before central agencies.

His appearance before the ED comes amid a period of heightened political activity and multiple investigations involving leaders in West Bengal. Recent days have also seen Banerjee face summons and questioning in separate matters by state investigative agencies.

After leaving the ED office, Banerjee reiterated that he would not be intimidated and said he remained committed to his political responsibilities. He also accused the BJP of attempting to weaken opposition parties through investigative action, an allegation that the BJP has rejected in the past.

The Enforcement Directorate has not publicly commented on Banerjee’s remarks. The investigation related to the questioning remains ongoing.

Continue Reading

India News

DMK attacks Rahul Gandhi, accuses him of weakening opposition unity

DMK has intensified its criticism of Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader’s actions have weakened opposition unity and strained relations within the INDIA bloc.

Published

on

Rahul-Gandhi

The war of words between the DMK and Congress has intensified, with the DMK launching a strong attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and accusing him of contributing to divisions within the opposition alliance. The criticism comes amid strained ties between the two parties following their political split in Tamil Nadu.

According to the DMK, Rahul Gandhi’s political approach has weakened unity among opposition parties. The party’s IT wing mocked the Congress leader on social media, while an editorial published in the DMK’s official mouthpiece Murasoli questioned his recent remarks on opposition solidarity.

DMK questions Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on opposition unity

In its editorial, Murasoli argued that Rahul Gandhi was speaking about opposition unity despite, according to the DMK, contributing to disagreements among alliance partners in several states. The publication cited criticism directed at Congress by various opposition parties and suggested that the party’s actions had often created tensions within the INDIA bloc.

The editorial also referred to past political disputes involving Congress and Left parties, particularly in Kerala, claiming such episodes had raised concerns among opposition allies about Congress’s approach toward its partners.

Tamil Nadu political fallout adds to tensions

The attack comes after a major political realignment in Tamil Nadu. Following the 2026 Assembly elections, Congress ended its alliance with the DMK and joined the government led by Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The move left the DMK in the opposition and significantly altered the political equation between the two former allies.

The DMK has alleged that Congress benefited from the alliance during the election and later abandoned its partner. The party’s editorial questioned whether assurances from Congress leadership would be trusted by alliance partners after the developments in Tamil Nadu.

Congress rejects allegations

Congress has not issued a detailed official response to the editorial, but party sources have rejected the allegations. According to the party, its decisions in Tamil Nadu were made in line with the mandate delivered by voters and were not intended to undermine either the DMK or the broader opposition alliance.

The latest exchange highlights growing strains between two key opposition parties even as leaders continue to stress cooperation on national issues. Just days earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that the DMK remained aligned with the opposition on defending the “idea of India” despite political differences.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Kumkum Bhagya actor Sanchita Ugale dies by suicide near Mumbai at 22

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, died by suicide at her residence near Mumbai. Police have launched an investigation.

Published

on

Sanchita Ugale

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for her appearances in Kumkum Bhagya, Wagle Ki Duniya and Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi, died by suicide at her residence in Nalasopara East near Mumbai on June 14. She was 22.

According to police officials, the incident took place at her home in Achole village, Nalasopara East. Authorities said Ugale had locked herself inside her bedroom and was later found hanging from a ceiling fan. Family members and local residents rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Officials said inquiries are underway and the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been established.

Career across television, OTT and films

Ugale had built a growing presence in the entertainment industry through television, streaming projects and films. Apart from Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, she played a lead role in Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi. She also appeared in OTT projects such as Crime Aaj Kal and Silence 2.

The actor was also associated with the film Chhaava, which contributed to her growing recognition among audiences.

Last social media post draws attention

Following news of her death, social media users shared and commented on Ugale’s final Instagram post, which had been uploaded hours before the incident. The post showed the actor in traditional attire lip-syncing to a classic Bollywood song. Fans expressed shock and grief after learning of her death.

Continue Reading

Trending

© Copyright 2022 APNLIVE.com