The income Tax department had seized Congress party’s four main bank accounts on ‘flimsy grounds’, leaving the party with no money to pay bills and salaries, party leader, treasurer Ajay Maken alleged on Friday.
Ajay Maken’s Congress Treasurer Reply
Maken said, “I have very disturbing news to share with all of you. The accounts of the Congress party have been frozen and also those of the Youth Congress have been frozen.”
Maken alleged that When the principal opposition party’s accounts have been frozen just two weeks before the announcement of the national elections. Do you think democracy is alive in our country?”
Taking Legal Action, Treasurer said must go to Tribunal
The accounts were frozen on an Income Tax demand of ₹210 crore for 2018-19, an election year, Maken said adding that the grand old party has already appealed to the Income Tax appellate authority.
The Congress took legal action by approaching the Income-Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) following the recovery of Rs 65 crore from the account of the Indian National Congress (INC) by the Income-Tax Department. This move comes amidst a dispute over outstanding tax dues totaling Rs 115 crore.
Complaints by Congress Treasurer
The Congress complaint before the Tribunal, according to the sources, said that the I-T department had enforced its lein by encashing some of the balances lying with the banks without waiting for the outcome of the hearing scheduled before the bench.
The Congress has appealed that the department should not proceed further till the disposal of the stay application, the sources said.
Maken’s Press Conference
“Democracy has completely ended in India. All the accounts of the country’s main opposition party have been frozen,” Maken said in a press conference.
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 said, according to news media platforms.
“Income tax asked for ₹210 crore recovery from Youth Congress and Congress party. The crowdfunding money in our accounts has been frozen. Just 2 weeks before elections when the opposition’s accounts are frozen, it is equivalent to freezing the democracy…” furthur added.
IT vs Congress Treasurer over money
On Tuesday, the Income-Tax Department recovered Rs 65 crore from the Congress account, which it claimed was part of the total outstanding tax dues.
Party treasurer Ajay Maken expressed concern over the situation, emphasising the need for checks and balances to prevent unchecked actions by probe agencies. He reiterated the Congress’s trust in the judiciary.
Alleging for withdrawal of money from accounts
Congress party alleged involvement of Central government agencies for withdrawal of money from there accounts.
Maken’s said “ Withdrawal of 66 crores from Congress’s bank accounts, showing dictatorship and democracy’s killing by Modi government , who is doing vengeance politics, Income Tax Department’s action is Economic terrorism attempts to break the Congress financially, so that Congress does not contest elections reliably”
Congress National Treasurer Ajay Maken said that the BJP government has started economic terrorism against the main opposition party Congress. A few days ago, the BJP government had frozen all the accounts of the Congress. Now Modi government and Income Tax officials have stolen Rs 65 crore 88 lakh 81 thousand 474 from the bank accounts of Congress.
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