BJP Chief State Spokesperson and MP Santosh Pandey on Thursday accused the former Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress government of large-scale corruption, alleging that scams involving liquor, coal and betting had caused extensive losses to Chhattisgarh during the Congress’s five-year tenure. Addressing a press conference at the BJP office, Ekatma Parisar, Pandey referred to a charge sheet filed against 20 individuals and 22 firms in connection with an alleged liquor scam estimated at more than Rs 3,200 crore. He said that those named in the case include former Congress treasurer Ramgopal Agrawal, Yash Tuteja, Anwar Dhebar, B.R. Lohia and several other individuals and companies.

 

Kumar Bhai Thakkar, also known as Ranjan Thakkar, was among those named and is reportedly absconding. Explaining the alleged modus operandi, Pandey claimed that the syndicate collected commissions from distillery operators supplying legal liquor and facilitated the production and sale of illicit liquor, referred to as “Part-B” liquor, through government-run outlets without payment of excise duty. He also alleged that unaccounted bottles and forged transport permits were used to move the liquor to retail outlets. Pandey claimed proceeds from the alleged illegal sales were channelled through hawala and angadia networks to various cities in India and Dubai. He further claimed that the money was subsequently shown in bank records as unsecured loans and invested in land and other assets. Pandey also alleged that liquor stocks, including newly produced and existing supplies, were illegally sold through hotels and bars during the COVID-19 lockdown from N.V. Distillery in Siltara, Raipur.

 

These allegations were presented by the BJP leader in the context of the ongoing liquor scam case. Targeting the Congress leadership, Pandey demanded that documents related to the construction of Rajiv Bhawan, the party’s state headquarters in Raipur, be made public. He also called for the seizure of Congress offices across Chhattisgarh, alleging that they had been built using proceeds from corruption and illegal collections. Pandey urged Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge to remove leaders facing allegations from their organisational responsibilities and apologise to the people of Chhattisgarh. He also accused former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel of acting as an “ATM” for the Congress party and called for the party’s political recognition to be revoked over what he described as organised corruption.