The Congress party, on February 22, leveled serious allegations against the Narendra Modi-led Union government and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing them of engaging in what they termed as “financial terrorism.” The principal Opposition party claims that the ruling party’s actions aim to cripple their election preparation and create an uneven playing field in the upcoming political contests.
K.C. Venugopal, the party’s general secretary (organisation), made a startling announcement that the Income Tax (IT) department had withdrawn a significant sum of ₹65.89 crore from the Congress’ bank accounts. He went on to allege that this move was an orchestrated attempt to undermine the democratic process, describing it as an endeavor to “murder the world’s largest democracy” and push the nation towards a “dictatorship raj.”
This financial development is linked to an ongoing tax dispute between the Congress and the Income Tax department. The department has asserted a demand of ₹210 crore against the Congress, citing discrepancies in the filing of IT returns for the assessment year 2018-2019. The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, currently hearing the party’s appeal, has imposed a stay on any further withdrawal from the Congress’ bank accounts, providing a temporary reprieve amid the escalating tensions.
As the political landscape heats up with these accusations and financial maneuvers, the Congress vows to fight against what they perceive as an assault on democratic principles. The unfolding events shed light on the contentious relationship between the opposition and the ruling party, setting the stage for a potentially intense political showdown in the days to come.
