Congress alleges 65 crore “loot” by Income Tax Dept
On Thursday, February 22, the Congress party accused the BJP of engaging in “financial terrorism”, alleging that banks had siphoned off Rs 65 crore from its accounts and transferred the funds to the government just prior to the Lok Sabha elections.
The Income Tax Department has allegedly ordered certain banks which have the Congress party’s accounts to withdraw Rs 65 crore from those accounts. The Congress said this is “undemocratic” as the case pertaining to their I-T returns for previous years is sub judice.
In a post on X, Congress leader Ajay Maken underscored the exemption of national political parties from income tax (although they are obligated to file tax returns) and questioned whether the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party would face similar scrutiny.
“Yesterday, the Income Tax Department mandated banks to transfer over Rs 65 crores from Indian National Congress, Indian Youth Congress, and National Students’ Union of India accounts to the government – Rs 5 crore from IYC and NSUI, and Rs 60.25 crores from INC, marking a concerning move by the BJP government,” Maken wrote on X.
“Is it common for national political parties to pay Income Tax? No. Does BJP pay Income Tax? No. Why then is the Congress Party facing an unprecedented demand of Rs 210 crore?” he further wrote.
The Congress criticised the BJP, denouncing the tax notices as “politically motivated” and timed strategically to disrupt election preparations. Maken decried the tax notices as a “disturbing blow to the democratic process”.
Expressing apprehension, he remarked, “Democracy seems to be eroding, transitioning into a one-party rule, with the principal opposition party being stifled. We call upon the judiciary, media and the public to seek justice”.
While conceding that the party had submitted its financial details for 2018-19 (an election year) 45 days late, Maken deemed the freezing of accounts an extreme measure, arguing that there was no precedent for such action.
He further cast aspersions on the timing of the freeze, suggesting hidden motives behind the move.
