The Congress party has recently been served with fresh notices from the income-tax department, demanding approximately Rs 1,823 crore. Concurrently, they have accused the BJP of significant income-tax law breaches, advocating for a penalty of Rs 4,600 crore against the ruling party.
Accompanying the Congress in this tax turmoil are the left-wing parties CPI and CPI-M. The CPI disclosed receiving a notice regarding the use of an outdated PAN card, while the CPI-M faces a tax recovery notice amounting to Rs 15.59 crore due to an undeclared bank account in their 2016-17 tax filings.
Amidst the escalating Lok Sabha election campaign, the Congress has intensified its accusations against the BJP, alleging "tax terrorism" designed to financially incapacitate the opposition. They argue that such actions jeopardize democracy under the BJP's governance.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge highlighted the notice amounting to Rs 1,823 crore served to the party by the income-tax department, noting the withdrawal of Rs 135 crore from party accounts derived from crowd-sourced funds. Additionally, Kharge emphasized the BJP's alleged income-tax law violations, proposing a demand of Rs 4,617.58 crore from the saffron party for similar infractions.
Accompanied by Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh and Party Treasurer Ajay Maken, Kharge asserted the misuse of institutions like the income-tax department, Enforcement Directorate (ED), and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) by the BJP-led government to undermine democracy. He pledged the Congress's unwavering commitment to contesting the elections and vowed to liberate the country's institutions from what he termed as the BJP's "dictatorship."
Echoing similar sentiments, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi condemned the BJP's actions as "tax terrorism" and warned of repercussions once the government changes hands. He stressed that such actions would not go unpunished.
Furthermore, Ramesh alleged the BJP's involvement in an "electoral bonds scam," amassing Rs 8,200 crore through dubious means, while simultaneously engaging in what he termed as "tax terrorism."
Maken raised concerns about the selective targeting of opposition parties by the income-tax department, describing it as a BJP "frontal organization." He emphasized the upcoming Supreme Court hearing on April 1 regarding the Congress's plea against the income-tax department's demands.
Kharge reiterated the Congress's commitment to fighting against what they perceive as unjust tax actions, citing penalties imposed by the income-tax authorities for various years.
In addition to the Congress's ordeal, the CPI and CPI-M also find themselves entangled in tax-related issues, further adding to the political turmoil surrounding income tax matters.
Trinamool Congress leader Saket Gokhale added to the chorus of grievances, claiming to have received multiple income-tax notices in a short span, signaling a wider issue across the political spectrum.
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