Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar faction) chief Sharad Pawar has come to the defense of his daughter and NCP MP Supriya Sule following allegations of involvement in a “bitcoin scam.” The allegations, made by former IPS officer Ravindra Patil, have been amplified by the BJP in the midst of the ongoing Maharashtra Assembly elections.
Speaking to the media after casting his vote in Baramati, Sharad Pawar dismissed the accusations, questioning the credibility of the accuser. “The person who made the allegations was in jail for several months. Taking that person along and making false allegations—only the BJP can do this,” Pawar said, as quoted by ANI.
Pawar also expressed confidence in the electoral process, urging citizens to vote peacefully. “After November 23, it will be clear who will be given the responsibility of forming the government in the state,” he added.
The allegations by Ravindra Patil claim that Supriya Sule and Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole were involved in a cryptocurrency scam dating back to 2018, purportedly to fund election campaigns. The BJP has seized the opportunity to demand answers from the Congress and its allies, raising five pointed questions:
- Was Congress involved in bitcoin transactions?
- Are they in contact with individuals named Gaurav Gupta or Mehta?
- Are the chats allegedly involving Congress leaders authentic?
- Do the voices in the audio clips belong to their leaders?
- Who are the “big people” referred to in the accusations?
Responding to the BJP’s accusations, Supriya Sule categorically refuted the claims and expressed her willingness to answer the questions publicly. “I am ready to answer his [BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi’s] five questions wherever he wants—time, place, and platform of his choice. All the allegations are completely false,” Sule said.
The controversy comes at a critical time during the Maharashtra Assembly elections, with over 9.7 crore voters casting their ballots. Both the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) are locked in a fierce battle for power. The allegations have added a dramatic twist to the high-stakes election, drawing national attention.
As the voting concludes, all eyes are now on the results, which will be announced on November 23. The outcome will determine not only the political leadership in Maharashtra but also the impact of these allegations on the reputations of key political figures.