Supriya Sule Denies Bitcoin Allegations; Ajit Pawar Assures Truth Will Emerge After Probe

Mumbai: Supriya Sule, senior NCP leader and Lok Sabha MP, has categorically denied allegations linking her to a ₹100 crore bitcoin scam. The controversy erupted after retired IPS officer Ravindranath Patil accused Sule and Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole of using illicit cryptocurrency funds for election campaigns. BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi amplified these claims, raising five questions about the alleged transactions during a press conference.

Sule dismissed the accusations as baseless and politically motivated. "I challenge BJP to a public debate at any forum of their choice," she said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. She announced legal action, including criminal and civil defamation notices against Trivedi, and filed complaints with the Election Commission and Pune Cyber Cell.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Sule's cousin and rival within the NCP, hinted at an inquiry, stating, "The truth will come out after a proper investigation." Ajit Pawar's comments about an alleged viral audio clip featuring Sule's voice further deepened the divide between the two NCP factions.

Sharad Pawar, the NCP founder and Sule’s father, dismissed the allegations, calling them a BJP ploy. "The individual making these claims has a criminal record. Only BJP can stoop to such tactics," he said. Nana Patole also denied any wrongdoing, labeling the allegations as a political conspiracy.

The allegations come amidst a bitter split in the NCP, with one faction led by Ajit Pawar aligning with the BJP-Shiv Sena government, while Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule lead the opposing camp. The controversy is seen as yet another flashpoint in Maharashtra’s charged political landscape.

Ms. Sule’s response to Ajit Pawar’s remarks about her alleged involvement was cryptic yet sharp: "He is Ajit Pawar; he can say anything. Rama Krishna Hari."