Congress Bank Accounts Frozen Ahead of Elections

The announcement by the Congress today revealed that the Income Tax department has frozen the party’s bank accounts, including those belonging to the Youth Congress. This action comes just weeks before the general election dates are set to be announced. Ajay Maken, the party treasurer, characterized this move as a “disturbing blow to the democratic process.” The freeze is reportedly in response to a tax demand of Rs 210 crore issued by the Income Tax department. The Congress alleges that this demand is politically motivated and strategically timed to disrupt the party’s election preparations.

Mr. Maken criticized the situation, likening it to a one-rule party scenario, with the principal opposition party being subjugated. He called for justice from the judiciary, media, and the people. The Congress has taken legal action in response to the freeze, with the matter currently pending before the income tax appellate tribunal. Mr. Maken explained during a press conference that they refrained from disclosing the information earlier due to the ongoing hearing.

The party only became aware of the freezing of its accounts recently, with their lawyer Vivek Tankha stating that a total of four accounts have been affected. Banks have been instructed not to accept or honor Congress’ cheques, and the frozen funds are to be submitted to the Income Tax department. Mr. Maken argued that although the party submitted its accounts 45 days late in the election year of 2018-19, freezing the accounts is an extreme measure, especially considering past precedents.

The timing of the freeze, just ahead of the crucial general elections, raises suspicions about the motives behind the Income Tax department’s actions, according to Mr. Maken. He emphasized the impact on the party’s financial obligations, including electricity bills, staff salaries, and their Nyay yatra. Party president Mallikarjun Kharge expressed concern, labeling the government’s action as a deep blow to democracy and accusing the Modi government of wielding power recklessly.

Furthermore, Mr. Kharge highlighted the disparity between the treatment of funds collected by the BJP and those raised through crowdfunding by the Congress. He called on the judiciary to safeguard the multi-party system and democracy in India. Meanwhile, the freezing of the bank accounts coincides with a landmark Supreme Court judgment that struck down the electoral bonds scheme, introduced by the government in 2018 to replace cash donations and improve transparency in political funding.

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