A new controversy has erupted just before the Maharashtra Assembly elections, as Supriya Sule and Nana Patole face serious allegations of a Bitcoin scam. The accusations, which have stirred political tensions, involve claims that both leaders were part of a cryptocurrency fraud tied to election funding.
What is the ‘Bitcoin Scam’ Allegation?
The controversy began with an audio clip that went viral, allegedly involving Supriya Sule, Nana Patole, and Amitabh Gupta, the former Pune Police Commissioner. The clip, shared on social media and TV, suggests that the two politicians misappropriated bitcoins from a 2018 fraud case to finance their election campaigns.
According to Ravindranath Patil, a former IPS officer, Sule and Patole were involved in asking for cash in exchange for bitcoins. Patil claims that Gaurav Mehta, an employee of an audit firm called Sarathi Associates, sent him multiple voice notes. In these, Sule allegedly discusses cash for bitcoins and assures that any inquiries would be dealt with once they were in power.
Patil also mentioned recordings where Nana Patole was reportedly heard questioning a delay in receiving cash, and Amitabh Gupta was allegedly asking for Rs. 50 crores. The recordings also allegedly show transactions through four crypto wallets.
Political Reactions
The allegations have sparked heated responses from opponents. BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi held a press conference demanding answers from Congress, asking five key questions:
- Are you involved in the Bitcoin transaction?
- Are you in contact with Gaurav Mehta?
- Are the chats circulating legitimate?
- Is the voice in the audio yours?
- Who are the ‘big people’ involved?
Adding fuel to the fire, Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar recognized his sister’s voice in the recordings and promised an investigation. He said, “I can figure out from their tone. An inquiry will be done, and everything will be cleared.”
Sharad Pawar Responds
Sharad Pawar, the NCP-SP chief, has criticized the BJP’s tactics, calling them baseless. He claimed that the person making the allegations had been in jail and that the BJP was using false accusations to target political opponents ahead of the elections.
AI-Generated Allegations?
In response to the accusations, Congress leader Ravi Prakash Jadhav labeled the video as AI-generated, claiming that it was a fake video designed to mislead voters. Jadhav warned that BJP leaders had shared the doctored clip with TV channels, spreading it just days before the election. He demanded punishment for those involved in creating and sharing the fake video.
As the Maharashtra elections draw closer, the Bitcoin scam allegations add another layer of controversy to an already tense political atmosphere. Stay tuned for more updates as the investigation unfolds.
