Mumbai: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Supriya Sule on Tuesday challenged BJP national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi to a debate over allegations of a “bitcoin scam” linked to the Maharashtra Assembly elections.

Taking to social media platform X, Supriya Sule stated that she is prepared to engage in a public discussion with any BJP representative at a time and place of their choosing.

Supriya Sule Denies All Allegations Made By Sudhanshu Trivedi

“I deny all the allegations levelled against me by Sudhanshu Trivedi. All this is conjecture and innuendo, and I am ready for a debate with any representative of the BJP at a time and date of their choice, in a public forum,” Sule posted on X.

Supriya Sule Files A Criminal Complaint

In response to these accusations, Supriya Sule has filed a criminal complaint with the Election Commission and the Cyber Cell in Pune. The allegations stem from claims made by a former IPS officer accusing her of using bitcoin to finance the Maharashtra Assembly elections.

Prior to filing the complaint, Sule criticised Sudhanshu Trivedi for making “baseless allegations” and accused him of disseminating false information.

“It’s appalling that such baseless allegations are made by Mr Sudhanshu Trivedi, yet not surprising as it’s a clear case of spreading false information, the night before elections. My lawyer will be issuing a criminal and civil defamation notice against Sudhanshu Trivedi for making outrightly false allegations with an intent to deceive the public at large,” Sule posted on X, tagging Trivedi.

Accusations Made By BJP Leader Sudhanshu Trivedi

Earlier on Tuesday, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Sudhanshu Trivedi held a press conference accusing Supriya Sule and Congress leader Nana Patole of engaging in a conspiracy involving illegal bitcoin transactions to influence election results in favour of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). Trivedi also presented an alleged audio clip related to these transactions, which purportedly involved “big names.”

“An accused dealer contacts a former police officer, who has been jailed previously, and tells him that he (the dealer) wants to conduct bitcoin transactions in cash. The officer declines the request. However, the dealer tries to convince him, claiming that a few ‘big people’ are involved, allegedly naming Nana Patole and Supriya Sule. When the officer expresses doubt, the dealer sends him the audio clips,” Trivedi said.

“As per the dealer’s claims, the audio clips mention the need for money for elections. We now have five questions for the Congress Party: First, are you involved in bitcoin transactions? Second, are you in contact with individuals named Gaurav Gupta or Mehta? Third, are the chats in question those of your leaders? Fourth, is the audio in the clips authentic? Fifth, who are the ‘big people’ referred to?” he added.

Additionally, retired IPS officer Ravindranath Patil from Pune accused Supriya Sule and Nana Patole of involvement in a cryptocurrency fraud case dating back to 2018. He alleged that the funds from this fraud were used for election campaigns.

Supriya Sule Describes Allegations As ‘Familiar Tactics’

In a post on X, Supriya Sule dismissed the allegations, describing them as “familiar tactics” used to spread misinformation before polling day.

“Familiar tactics of spreading false information to manipulate the righteous voters are being resorted to, a night before polling day. We have filed a criminal complaint with the Hon’ble Election Commission and the Cyber Crime Department against the fake allegations of bitcoin misappropriation,” she said.

“The intent and mala fide actors behind these allegations are amply evident. It is condemnable that such practices are taking place in a healthy democracy guided by the Constitution of India,” Sule added.

Retired IPS officer Patil also alleged that Amitabh Gupta, then Commissioner of Police, Pune, and Bhagyashri Nautake, then Deputy Commissioner of Police handling Cyber Crime Investigations, were involved in the misappropriation of bitcoins, which he claimed were used by the two political leaders.

Mumbai: Maharashtra recorded 6.61 per cent voter turnout till 9 am on Wednesday as polling was underway in all 288 assembly constituencies of the state, as per election officials.

Voter Turnout

Gadchiroli district witnessed 12.33 per cent turnout in the first two hours of polling. The Armori assembly segment in the district registered 13.53 per cent polling.

In Mumbai suburban, 7.88 per cent turnout was recorded. Bhandup and Mulund suburbs saw 10.59 per cent and 10.71 per cent turnout.

Mumbai city recorded 6.25 per cent polling.

While Colaba saw 5.35 per cent turnout, Worli recorded 3.78 per cent polling, according to the election officials.

Mumbai, 19 November 2024

In this election, the ruling party has been using government machinery and there have been reports about supplies being sent via police vehicles. Now, it has come to light that BJP’s national leader and former Education Minister Vinod Tawde is himself distributing money. As the BJP-Shinde government face defeat, they are attempting to win elections by buying votes and using money earned through corruption. This has exposed the true face of the BJP. Nana Patole, the President of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee, has demanded that the Election Commission take strict against the Bharatiya Janata Party and Vinod Tawde in this matter.

Speaking on the matter, Nana Patole said that on November 19, 2024, a serious incident came to light where BJP’s National General Secretary and former Education Minister Vinod Tawde was caught distributing money at Hotel Vivanta in Virar. It is reported that the amount in question was Rs 5 crore. News related to the incident was also shown on various news channels. The distribution of money in Virar is an extremely serious issue. While there could be attempts to suppress this case, the Election Commission must act impartially, transparently, and firmly, without succumbing to any pressure, to demonstrate that everyone is equal under the rule of law.

It is the duty of the Election Commission to conduct Assembly elections impartially and transparently. However, looking at recent events, it is evident that action is being taken only against opposition parties, while the ruling parties are being spared. Incidents such as searching opposition leaders’ bags, denying them permission for flights and helicopter rides, and causing delays have occurred. Initially, after complaints were made, it was showcased that the bags of ruling party leaders were being searched.

Fifteen days ago, Rs 5 crore was found in a vehicle near Khed Shivapur on the Pune highway, but the police have not yet disclosed who is the owner of the money, nor has there been clarity on what happened with the case. Similarly, a large amount of cash was discovered in a hotel in Nashik, allegedly linked to the ruling party, but the police action in that case was unsatisfactory. While nothing incriminating was found in the bags of opposition leaders, cash-filled bags belonging to ruling party members have come to light.

In another incident, the vehicle of a former state Home Minister was attacked with stones, leaving him injured. Such incidents do not befit Maharashtra, the land of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Shahu Maharaj, Phule, and Ambedkar. The BJP-Shinde alliance’s attempts to win elections by any means will not be tolerated by the public, Nana Patole asserted.