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The eve of the Maharashtra elections witnessed a significant political upheaval sparked by allegations of a Bitcoin scam involving prominent NCP and Congress leaders. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ignited the controversy by releasing an audio recording purportedly implicating Supriya Sule, a leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and Nana Patole, the president of the Maharashtra Congress, in the misappropriation of funds from a 2018 cryptocurrency fraud case to finance their election campaigns. The allegations, made public by former Pune IPS officer Ravindranath Patil, claimed that Sule and Patole, along with Amitabh Gupta (then Pune Police Commissioner) and Bhagyashri Nautake (then Deputy Commissioner of Police), had illicitly benefited from the Bitcoin fraud. This explosive revelation immediately dominated the political landscape, adding a layer of complexity to the already intense electoral battle.
Supriya Sule swiftly and vehemently denied the allegations. Following the release of the audio recording, she immediately contacted Pune’s Commissioner of Police to report the circulation of what she termed as fake videos. She subsequently filed a complaint with the cybercrime department, characterizing the voice notes and messages as entirely fabricated. Further escalating her response, Sule issued a criminal defamation notice against BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi, challenging him to a public debate on any platform of his choosing. Her proactive approach aimed to swiftly counter the damaging claims and restore her reputation before the crucial election. Sule’s statement emphasized her determination to combat the perceived disinformation campaign designed to influence voters on the eve of polling.
The response from within Sule's own party, the NCP, was notably divided. While her brother, Ajit Pawar, the Maharashtra deputy chief minister, seemed to inadvertently lend credence to the BJP's accusations by suggesting the audio recording contained his sister's voice, NCP chief Sharad Pawar strongly defended Supriya Sule, dismissing the allegations as politically motivated fabrications orchestrated by the BJP. He highlighted the accuser's past incarceration as evidence of the claims' lack of credibility, underscoring the political undertones of the scandal. This internal party rift, however subtle, further highlighted the intensity of the political maneuvering surrounding the allegations.
Nana Patole, the Maharashtra Congress chief, also vehemently denied any involvement in the alleged Bitcoin scam. He dismissed the accuser, Ravindra Patil, questioning his credentials and his motives, directly implicating the BJP in a calculated attempt to spread misinformation before the elections. He expressed his lack of understanding of Bitcoin, emphasizing his unfamiliarity with the technical aspects of the cryptocurrency, to further strengthen his claim of innocence. Similar to Sule, Patole announced legal action against the BJP, including the filing of an FIR and defamation lawsuits against both Sudhanshu Trivedi and Ravindranath Patil, demonstrating his commitment to clearing his name.
The BJP, however, remained steadfast in its accusations. Sambit Patra, a BJP MP and national spokesperson, highlighted the apparent contradiction between Supriya Sule's denial and her brother Ajit Pawar’s seemingly corroborating remarks about the audio clip. He went on to detail the various audios and chat logs that formed the basis of their claims, even implicating other prominent figures and referencing a substantial sum of money allegedly transferred from Dubai. Patra’s aggressive stance and his broad accusations extended beyond Sule and Patole, implicating national-level Congress leaders, further escalating the political drama and significantly amplifying the stakes of the scandal. This strategic move aimed to capitalize on the controversy and potentially sway public opinion in favor of the BJP.
The controversy surrounding the alleged Bitcoin scam has undoubtedly overshadowed the final days of the Maharashtra elections. The conflicting statements, legal actions, and political maneuvering have created a whirlwind of accusations and counter-accusations, making it difficult for voters to discern the truth. The rapid dissemination of information through social media and traditional news outlets further intensified the scandal's reach and impact. The outcome of the elections and subsequent investigations will undoubtedly determine the long-term consequences of this politically charged controversy, leaving a significant mark on the political landscape of Maharashtra.
Source: NCP factions lock horns over viral Bitcoin audio clip; fake, says Supriya Sule