Wed Nov 20 09:18:08 UTC 2024: ## BJP Accuses Maharashtra Opposition Leaders of Using Bitcoin in Election Funding
**Mumbai, India** – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched a scathing attack against opposition leaders in Maharashtra, alleging the misuse of Bitcoin for illicit election funding. The accusations target Congress leader Nana Patole and BJP MLA Supriya Sule, with BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra even implicating Sonia and Rahul Gandhi.
Patra claims that a cryptocurrency scam dating back to 2018, involving approximately ₹235 crore, was used to fund previous elections by the opposition alliance. He alleges that Gaurav Mehta, a cryptocurrency trader, helped encash Bitcoins to assist opposition leaders, later coming forward out of fear for his life. Patra further linked the scam to the arrest of former IPS officer Ravindranath Patil, who was allegedly involved in misusing cryptocurrency wallets, and implicated two other IPS officers in the case. Audio clips purportedly featuring Patole and Sule have been released as evidence.
Supriya Sule has vehemently denied the allegations, calling the audio clips fake and filing complaints with the Election Commission and Maharashtra Police. She stated that the BJP is spreading false information to manipulate voters. Similarly, Nana Patole dismissed the accusations as a ploy to influence the state elections and vowed to fight the allegations legally, asserting his innocence and lack of connection to Bitcoin.
The BJP, which released the audio clips on Tuesday, claims the opposition is trying to conceal their impending electoral defeat. While the Congress has yet to issue a formal response beyond Patole’s denial, Rahul Gandhi has been challenged to hold a press conference addressing the accusations. The allegations have ignited a fierce political battle in the state, adding a new dimension to the ongoing election campaign.
First Piper 