On the eve of polling, Supriya Sule got bombed with a Bitcoin Bombshell scandal! As Maharashtra goes to the polls today, the electors whisper and wonder about the explosive scandal of NCP leader Supriya Sule and Congress state chief Nana Patole.
Allegations of a “Bitcoin Scam” have turned the electoral battlefield into a frenzy of accusations, counter-accusations, and high-stakes drama. With purported audio clips, a former IPS officer’s damning statements, and political mudslinging at its peak. Let’s take a quick look at this controversy that has added an electrifying twist to Election Day for Maharashtra!
Supriya Sule and The Bitcoin Scandal
(1/2) पूर्व आईपीएस अधिकारी रवींद्रनाथ पाटिल के आरोपों से साफ हो गया है कि सुप्रिया सुले, नाना पटोले और महाविकास अघाड़ी के नेता महाराष्ट्र चुनाव में बिटक्वाइन के जरिए अवैध धन का प्रयोग कर रहे हैं।
उन्होंने अपनी झूठ की दुकान के जरिए सच को छिपाने की बहुत कोशिश की, लेकिन अब… pic.twitter.com/Dg7vxjTTvM
— Vinod Tawde (@TawdeVinod) November 19, 2024
The scandal erupted when Ravindranath Patil, a former IPS officer from Pune, released audio clips. He accuses Supriya Sule and Nana Patole of misappropriating bitcoins from a 2018 cryptocurrency fraud case, and he states that the evidence is in the taped conversations.
According to Patil, these bitcoins were allegedly converted into cash to fund their election campaigns.
The BJP and Mahayuti Aghadi wasted no time amplifying the claims, releasing audio clips purportedly featuring Sule’s voice, further stoking the fire. In one clip, Sule allegedly assures Gaurav Mehta, an auditor, that they will “handle” any inquiry into the cash-for-bitcoins transaction once they “come to power.” While the authenticity of these clips remains unverified, the Mahayuti Aghadi claims they expose a sinister plot to influence the elections.
Maharashtra: Huge cash has been recovered from an employee of Sharad Pawar's grandson, MLA Rohit Pawar's Baramati Agro Ltd company. A list has also been found from him.
Hardly anyone is talking about it for obvious reasons. pic.twitter.com/H18fI5Sa7A
— Mr Sinha (@MrSinha_) November 19, 2024
BJP’s Big Play: Audio Clips and Press Conferences
#BREAKING | BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi takes emergency press conference on Bitcoin controversy allegedly involving Supriya Sule and Nana Patole hours before polling day in Maharashtra, shares their alleged audio clip
Republic Media Network, across platforms and mediums… pic.twitter.com/y2bCrCPFYT
— Republic (@republic) November 19, 2024
BJP leaders, led by spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi, held a high-profile press conference showcasing the audio clips. They labeled the incident as an “illegal bitcoin activity” masterminded by the opposition to manipulate voter sentiment. Adding fuel to the fire, Ajit Pawar, Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister, and Supriya Sule’s cousin brother, shockingly admitted that the voice in the clips belonged to Supriya Sule. Ajit Pawar’s remarks intensified the controversy.
BIG NEWS 🚨 IPS officer Ravindranath Patil named Sharad Pawar's daughter and NCP MP Supriya Sule and Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole in alleged Bitcoin Scam. pic.twitter.com/3KFyZgMAx9
— Times Algebra (@TimesAlgebraIND) November 19, 2024
Supriya Sule, however, dismissed the claims and stated with biting sarcasm that Ajit Pawar can say anything!
'Fake, not my voice': Supriya Sule denies allegations of bitcoin transactions in Maharashtra elections @mayuganapatye shares details
Avantika Singh | #MaharashtraAssembly2024 pic.twitter.com/35XrG4U9Ql— News18 (@CNNnews18) November 20, 2024
Supriya Sule has vehemently denied the allegations, accusing the BJP of orchestrating a smear campaign. She filed complaints with the Election Commission and the cybercrime cell, calling for an investigation into the “fake and mala fide” allegations. In her complaint, Sule named former IPS officer Ravindranath Patil and Gaurav Mehta as culprits behind the “manufactured” audio clips. She asserts that these tapes are a below-the-belt act to divert voter attention and defame her! Additionally, Sule asserts that she trusts the voters to see through the BJP’s “cheap tactics”.
Familiar tactics of spreading false information to manipulate the righteous voters are being resorted to, a night before the polling day. We have filed a criminal complaint to the Hon’ble ECI & the Cyber crime department against the fake allegations made of bitcoin… pic.twitter.com/g8Selv1DFk
— Supriya Sule (@supriya_sule) November 19, 2024
Maharashtra: A Vote Shrouded in Suspicion
Storm Over Bitcoin Controversy
There are four audio tapes of Supriya Sule (NCP-SCP MP). In these, Supriya Sule is speaking to Amitabh Gupta and Gaurav Mehta, saying 'Don't play games with me…'- BJP MP @sambitswaraj holds a press briefing. pic.twitter.com/bZFN8a63Vy
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) November 20, 2024
The timing of the allegations seems like the BJP learned a very valuable lesson from the INDI Alliance. They have paid back the MVA using the same card that the INDI Alliance used against the BJP in Lok Sabha Elections 2024. On the very eve of voting, such revelations spark whispered debates and shake staunch Sharad Pawar voters. Hence, the impact of these audio clips on the electorate cannot be negated.
BJP insists they are exposing corruption, while NCP and Congress accuse them of weaponizing fake news to discredit opponents.
As Maharashtra casts its vote, the state finds itself at a crossroads. Will the scandal sway voter sentiment, or will it backfire on the BJP? The Supriya Sule Bitcoin Bombshell has become the centerpiece of Maharashtra’s high-stakes election drama.
Whether it’s a political conspiracy, a genuine expose, or a mix of both, no one knows for sure.
However, the fallout from these allegations will shape not just the ongoing polls. It will impact the political narrative in Maharashtra for months to come. Meanwhile, voters know they hold the power to decide who wins this battle of wits, wallets, and whispers. One thing is certain – this election will be remembered as much for its controversies as its outcomes!