As Maharashtra votes for the Assembly Election, a major political battle snowballed in the state after the BJP released audio clips attributing it to NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule and Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole of using Bitcoin scam proceeds to fund elections. 

The BJP’s move followed soon after former IPS officer Ravindranath Patil on Tuesday levelled serious allegations against the Baramati MP Supriya Sule and Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole. The former IPS officer alleged that the two leaders misappropriated bitcoins from the 2018 cryptocurrency fraud case and used the same to fund Maharashtra assembly polls.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, also Supriya Sule’s cousin, claimed that he recognised the Baramati MP’s voice in the purported audio clips. Pledging a thorough investigation in the matter, the Deputy Chief Minister said that from the tone in the audio clips, he can identify the voices. He added that one of the voices is his sister’s and the other is someone with whom he worked extensively. He asserted that an inquiry will be conducted and the truth will emerge.

Meanwhile, Supriya Sule on Wednesday categorically denied the charges, labeling them as baseless. Speaking to the media, the NCP (SP) leader said that she has filed a defamation case, and a criminal case. She said that she is ready to answer BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi’s five questions anywhere, anytime, on any platform. These allegations are entirely false and fabricated, she concluded. Responding to Ajit Pawar’s remarks, Supriya Sule dismissed his claims, saying that he is Ajit Pawar; and that he can say anything. 

After the BJP released the audio clips on Tuesday, Supriya Sule took to x, and responded to allegations of her involvement in the bitcoin scam linked to the Maharashtra assembly elections. The Baramati MP said that she denies all the allegations levelled against her by Sudhanshu Trivedi. Mentioning that all this is conjecture and innuendo, she added that she is ready for a debate with any representative of the bjp at a time and date of their choice, in a public forum. BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi claimed that the development has unmasked the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and sought replies from the Congress and Supriya Sule.

Supriya Sule alleged that these were familiar tactics of spreading false information to manipulate the righteous voters the night before election. Furthermore, she also sent a complaint to the Election Commission of India and Maharashtra cyber crime department against what she called the fake allegations made of bitcoin misappropriation. Her complaint targets Patil and Gaurav Mehta, who was the witness in the 2018 case.

The Baramati MP further said that her lawyers will issue a criminal and civil defamation notice against Sudhanshu Trivedi.

Just a few hours before Maharashtra conducts the assembly elections, Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA), a regional party, accused BJP leaders, including general secretary and former minister Vinod Tawde, of distributing cash at a hotel in Virar in Palghar district. 

The BVA has alleged that BJP candidate from Nalasopara Rajan Naik was distributing cash, allegedly to influence voters, in the presence of former minister Vinod Tawde. Kshitij Thakur, who is the sitting BVA MLA , reached the hotel with his supporters and a high drama followed.

Reportedly, the BVA supporters gheraoed Vinod Tawde and raised slogans. The supporters claimed that they found envelopes with cash and diaries at the meeting venue. Several viral videos show BVA supporters waving currency notes in front of Vinod Tawde. 

Reports said that an FIR has been registered in this connection. BVA President Hitendra Thakur alleged that a sum of Rs 5 crore was distributed at the Virar hotel. He added that former minister Tawde had a diary that carried details of the cash.

Furthermore, the Congress has also shared a video from the hotel and accused the BJP of trying to use money power to influence the election. The party added that even top leaders are involved, and asked the Election Commission to take note and strict action.

Meanwhile, the BJP has trashed the allegations and termed them baseless and a political stunt by the Bahujan Vikas Aghadi on the eve of elections. The BJP said that Vinod Tawde was at the hotel for a meeting with party workers to discuss poll preparations. It also said the Election Commission must investigate the matter and scan CCTV footage to get to the root of the matter. 

Additional Chief Electoral Officer of Maharashtra Kiran Kulkarni has said they have received a complaint in this connection and necessary action will be taken.

Maharashtra will vote on November 20, and the counting of votes will take place on November 23.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov on Tuesday said that Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit India soon, and the announcement of dates will also be made soon.

He added that specific dates of President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India will soon be announced and Russia will begin preparing for it. He noted that they will work out the precise date of his visit soon. He continued that after two visits of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, they have a visit of President Vladimir Putin to India.

Notably, the Russian President is under an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged war crimes in Ukraine. Earlier in March 2023, nearly a year after the conflict began, the ICC issued arrest warrants against both Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia’s commissioner for child rights, for the alleged war crimes.

Reportedly, under the Rome Statute, the court’s binding treaty, individuals against whom an ICC warrant has been issued, must be detained if the person visits a country, which is a member state of the ICC. Nonetheless, India has not signed or ratified the Rome Statue. Therefore, the ex-KGB agent cannot be arrested here.

Additionally, India has repeatedly abstained from voting against Moscow on resolutions in the United Nations on the Ukraine war. Also, India has continued to purchase oil from Russia, adding to the annoyance of the United States-led western bloc of nations.

Earlier in October, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Russia’s Kazan for the annual summit of the leaders of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) group of nations. Both the two leaders held a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the summit.

During the summit, Russian President Vladimir Putin also discussed India’s economic growth under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He further thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his participation in the three-day summit.

The Russian President said that all the countries talk about the need to ensure high economic growth rates but India has been doing it successfully for several years. He hailed that achieving high economic growth of 7.5 per cent sets an example for other countries.