Congress approaches EC over ‘misuse’ of ED in Chattisgarh

Congress approaches ECI to ensure ED's impartiality in Chhattisgarh polls. Delegation led by Singhvi demands disciplinary action against ED officials for misusing powers and violating EC's guidelines. ED accused of being used as political tool by BJP against Opposition leaders.

The Congress on Wednesday approached the Election Commission to complain about “prejudicial action” by the Enforcement Directorate in poll-bound Chattisgarh. The specific instance is the Mahadev Betting App scandal.

A Congress delegation, led by Congress Working Committee member Abhishek Manu Singhvi and including senior leaders Tariq Anwar and Udit Raj, asked the ECI to ensure that central agencies conduct themselves with “strict impartiality” during investigations and demanded withdrawal of an ED press release that claimed Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel took Rs 508 crore from promoters of the betting app.

In a memorandum to the poll body, the party expressed concern over the “worrying trend” of the ED being used as a “political tool” by the BJP against Opposition leaders. The document also cited raids at the home of Rajasthan Congress president Govind Singh Dotasra and the summons issued to the Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s son Vaibhav.

The delegation demanded disciplinary action against ED officials who are “misusing” their powers and violating the guidelines of the EC, which insists on “neutral, impartial and non-discriminatory” actions by agencies.

The party decided to approach the EC following an official statement by the ED claiming that Mr Baghel took Rs 508 crore from Mahadev app promoters and the money seized last week was for Congress’ election expenses.

“It is self evident to anybody who knows the ground reality in Chattisgarh that the BJP is hurtling towards certain defeat and therefore they have roped in their election ally the ED,” Mr Singhvi told reporters after meeting the commission.

“We have turned to the ECI to put an immediate stop to ED activity ...that they will enter any state and issue any statement,” he said.