BJP Rajya Sabha MP Sudhanshu Trivedi has accused Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Supriya Sule and Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole of engaging in illegal bitcoin transactions in a bid to influence the results of the Maharashtra Assembly elections in favor of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). Trivedi, during a press conference, played audio recordings and shared screenshots of conversations, alleging that the two opposition leaders were involved in illicit financial dealings aimed at manipulating the electoral process.
Trivedi’s accusations center on an alleged conspiracy involving a former police officer and a bitcoin dealer. According to Trivedi, the dealer approached the former police officer, who had a past criminal record, seeking assistance for a cash-based bitcoin transaction. When the officer refused, the dealer reportedly mentioned that “big people” were involved, naming Supriya Sule and Nana Patole in the conversation.
In the press conference, Trivedi presented voice clippings and text messages that he claimed show a connection between the MVA leaders and the accused individuals. He raised several questions to Sule and Patole, demanding clarification on their alleged involvement:
1. Are any MVA leaders involved in illegal bitcoin transactions?
2. Did these transactions play a role in the Maharashtra elections?
3. Do you have any connection to former police commissioner Amitabh Gupta or the accused bitcoin dealer Gaurav Mehta?
4. Are the voice recordings presented by Trivedi genuine, and do they belong to Sule and Patole?
5. Who are the “big people” mentioned in the voice clippings, and were these transactions carried out under their instructions?
Trivedi, intensifying his attack, claimed that the opposition leaders resorted to these illegal tactics because they knew the MVA would be outperformed by the ruling Mahayuti alliance in the Maharashtra elections.
The allegations came just hours after Supriya Sule, the Member of Parliament from Baramati, filed a complaint with the Election Commission, accusing two individuals of spreading false information regarding the misuse of bitcoins in the electoral process. Sule, strongly denying the accusations, labeled the allegations as “conjecture and innuendo” and challenged Trivedi to a public debate.”
I am ready to debate with any representative of the BJP at any time and on any platform,” Sule said, calling the allegations “cheap politics.” She further announced that her lawyer would be issuing a defamation notice against Trivedi for making baseless claims designed to mislead the public.
As the political battle continues to heat up, both sides remain firm in their positions, with the Election Commission yet to comment on the ongoing controversy.
