The Congress on Friday said four of its main bank accounts have been frozen by the Income-tax Department on “flimsy ground”. “The move to freeze the accounts of the country’s largest oppposition party just before the Lok Sabha elections is a deep assault on Indian democracy,” said Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge.
Kharge shared a post on its social media account X and that read, “The UNCONSTITUTIONAL money collected by the BJP would be utilised by them for elections, but the money collected by us through crowdfunding shall be sealed!”
It further noted that the “power-drunk Modi government has frozen the accounts of the country’s largest opposition party, the Indian National Congress, just before the Lok Sabha elections. This is a deep assault on India’s democracy!”
“That is why I have said that there won’t be any elections in the future. We appeal to the judiciary to save the multi-party system in this country and protect India’s democracy,” he said.
The Congress chief added that the party will take to the streets and fight strongly against this autocracy!
Senior Congress leader and treasurer Ajay Maken in a press conference alleged that democracy has completely ended in India.
All the accounts of the country’s main opposition party have been frozen. The accounts, including those of the Indian Youth Congress, were frozen on an income tax demand of Rs 210 crores for 2018–19, an election year. Maken said Congress had filed the return for the year concerned a “few days late” and that is why this action was taken.
Maken said that the party was informed on Thursday that banks are not honouring the cheques issued by the party. “On further investigation, we got to know that the Youth Congress bank accounts have been frozen. The accounts of the Congress party have also been seized.”
Maken added that the party at present lacks funds to spend, settle bills, or pay salaries to its employees. “Right now, we don’t have any money to spend, to pay electricity bills, or to pay salaries to our employees. Everything will be impacted; not only Nyay Yatra but all political activities will be impacted.”
In response to this action, Delhi Congress will demonstrate a protest outside the Income Tax Office at ITO on Saturday, February 17. Delhi Congress said in a statement that they will protest against the freezing of Congress bank accounts by the BJP Government.