Maharashtra is set to witness assembly elections today, Wednesday. Just a day prior, a former IPS officer from Pune accused NCP leader and Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule and Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole of serious misconduct. The allegations claim that both leaders were involved in Bitcoin manipulation in 2018, with the funds potentially being used in the current assembly elections.
Following these accusations, the BJP has turned this into a major issue.
BJP Leader Accuses MVA
At a press conference, BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi leveled serious allegations against the MVA just ahead of voting. He interrogated Congress regarding any involvement in Bitcoin transactions and further pointed accusations at Supriya Sule and Nana Patole.
Sudhanshu Trivedi stated, "Serious and concerning facts have emerged, slowly unraveling MVA's corruption. It casts a grave question on free and fair elections."
The BJP claimed that there was an exchange of voice notes between Nana Patole, Supriya Sule, Police Commissioner Amitabh Gupta, and dealer Amitabh.
Presenting printouts of WhatsApp chats, Sudhanshu Trivedi highlighted, "These chats and notes reveal how Supriya Sule and Nana Patole were involved in Bitcoin transactions."
Sudhanshu raised five questions, stating, "If the five-fingered hand doesn't answer these questions, the nation's public can discern the true intent behind them. It now seems that if they genuinely hoped to win elections, this unlawful acquisition of funds wouldn't have crossed their minds."
Sudhanshu went on to emphasize that these are not mere allegations. The people of Maharashtra should recognize the kind of dealings they engage in. This is the party accused of collecting a hundred crore rupees when they were in power.
'I Will Sue for Defamation...'
In response to these allegations by the BJP, Supriya Sule announced plans to file a defamation lawsuit against Sudhanshu Trivedi, accusing BJP of engaging in dirty politics. She stated, "I do not know such a person, and my voice has been fabricated. I have filed a complaint with Pune Police regarding this."
Supriya Sule Writes to EC
Supriya Sule has registered a formal complaint with the Election Commission opposing these accusations. Her lawyer stated in the letter, "Immediate cyber fraud complaints should be filed against former IPS officer Ravindranath Patil and Gaurav Mehta for spreading false information against Supriya Sule."
They accused Supriya Sule of trying to falsify her voice to substantiate claims that Bitcoin was misused for fund distribution in the assembly elections.
Accusations to Tarnish Image
The letter emphasized, 'This is a severe crime utilizing digital means for fraudulent and defamatory purposes. The allegations, entirely baseless, appear maliciously intended to tarnish and degrade Supriya Sule’s image and reputation.'
They further noted, 'It’s surprising how such claims emerged just a night before the Maharashtra Assembly elections, revealing the intent behind these false accusations. We demand immediate FIR filing under relevant legal provisions and a thorough investigation against such individuals.'