New Delhi: Ahead of Maharashtra Assembly elections on Wednesday, in a late-night press conference on Tuesday, BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi accused Congress leader Nana Patole and NCP leader Supriya Sule of utilising foreign funding and unscrupulous techniques to sway the election results in MVA’s favour.

Sudhanshu said, “Serious and concerning facts have come to light, exposing the true face of MVA bit by bit. Bytes are also available. It poses a serious question about how a free and fair election can be conducted.”

The BJP press conference comes after former IPS officer Ravindra Nath Patil made explosive claims on Tuesday, alleging that NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) leader Supriya Sule and Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole (both MVA partners) were involved in a cryptocurrency scam.

Speaking to IANS, Patil implicated Pune’s former Police Commissioner Amitabh Gupta and cybercrime investigator Bhagyashree Navatke, claiming that they were involved in the Bitcoin scam and had received protection from political leaders Sule and Patole.

BJP played audiovisuals at the press conference and shared several voice recordings. Mediaeye News cannot verify the veracity of these recordings.

In the recording, Supriya Sule is allegedly heard requesting cash in exchange for Bitcoin. Sule allegedly assured Mehta that there was no need to worry about the investigation, as they would handle it once they came to power.

Another recording reportedly featured Nana Patole inquiring about the delay in the cash transaction.

After the recordings were played, Shubhanshu asked MVA:

“Are they involved in any Bitcoin transaction? They must answer yes or no.”

“Do you have any relation with Gaurav Mehta, Amitabh Gupta?”

“Have you had any such conversation with Gupta, Mehta or anybody else?”

“Are big people involved? Who are they?”

Trivedi further said, “You (Sule and Patole) have to come and tell us if this is your voice and not just tweet.”

Supriya Sule vehemently denied the accusations as she responded on X. After the BJP Sudhansu press conference, Supriya Writes on X:

“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 also writes on X:

“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 misappropriation. The intent and mala fide actors behind it are amply evident, condemn worthy that such practices are taking place in a healthy democracy guided by the Constitution of India.”

In another tweet, Sule writes:

“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 & civil defamation notice against Sudhanshu Trivedi for making outrightly false allegations with an intent to deceive the public at large.”

Sule finally denied accusations:

“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.”

At this point, these are all allegations, and there is no proof as yet.

Experts say the BJP should conduct an investigation and not do press conferences.

Meanwhile, Supriya tweets that her lawyers will be issuing criminal and defamation notice against Sudhanshu Trivedi:

“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 & civil defamation notice against Sudhanshu Trivedi for making outrightly false allegations with an intent to deceive the public at large.”

At the time of filing this story, Supriya Sule has not denied that it is her voice note.

Mediaeye News, at this point, cannot vouch for the veracity of accusations.

Earlier, BJP’s senior leader and general secretary, Vindo Tawde, was accused of distributing cash for votes. Tawde denied the allegation.

 

Source: Media Reports
Sudhanshu Trivedi File Photo: IANS/Phool Chandra

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