Congress claims BJP stealing money
The politician said the Congress never subjected BJP to such treatment when it was ruling at the Centre.
New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party is stealing money from the Congress’s bank accounts, said party leader KC Venugopal on Thursday, reacting to the Income Tax department deducting ₹65.89 crore from AICC, Indian Youth Congress and NSUI accounts.
The politician said the Congress never subjected the BJP to such treatment when it was ruling at the Centre.
“They (BJP) are stealing our money from the banks…We also ruled this country. If any such instance BJP can point out that they had this type of experience during the Congress-led UPA government or Congress government,” he said.
KC Venugopal said the BJP has never given any income tax as a political party. He said the income tax’s deduction was an attack on the democratic principles and values.
“And they’re trying to shut the voice of India’s opposition…This is clearly an example of dictatorship,” he said.
KC Venugopal said unlike the BJP, the Congress got this money from the workers of the party.
“As per the latest information from the banks, the BJP government forced the banks to transfer approximately ₹65.89 crores from our deposits to the government. This amount is from AICC and Indian Youth Congress account and NSUI. Unlike the BJP, we got this money from ordinary workers of the party…Just before the parliament elections, the account of the principal opposition party has been hijacked by the BJP government,” he added.
Also read: ‘Does BJP pay?’: Income Tax department deducts ₹65 crore from Congress accounts
On Wednesday, Congress leader Ajay Maken wrote on his X account that neither the BJP nor the Congress pay the income tax, but still his party is facing ₹210 crore tax demand.
The Congress has moved the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) against the recovery of the outstanding tax.
On Wednesday, the department told the court that the Congress had violated rules and hence it was being treated as a normal tax payer.
It also said that the party was attempting to create a false narrative that “they’re being targeted before the general elections”.
Last week, Congress said it has no money to pay its bills as the income tax department froze its accounts over flimsy charges.
“Power drunk Modi Govt has frozen the accounts of the country’s largest Opposition party – the Indian National Congress – just before the Lok Sabha elections. This is a deep assault on India’s Democracy,” Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge had said.
The ongoing income tax controversy has sparked a heated exchange between the Congress and the BJP, with the Congress accusing the ruling party of stealing money “from our banks.” The allegations stem from recent income tax raids conducted on premises linked to individuals associated with the opposition party.
The Congress party has vehemently criticized the government, accusing it of misusing central agencies like the Income Tax Department for political purposes. According to Congress leaders, the raids are politically motivated and an attempt to suppress opposition voices ahead of crucial elections.
The Income Tax Department recently conducted searches on properties linked to close aides of prominent Congress leaders, leading to the seizure of significant amounts of cash and documents. The BJP contends that these actions are part of the government’s commitment to eradicating corruption and black money.
Congress spokespersons, however, claim that these raids are a witch-hunt and an attempt to intimidate the opposition. They argue that instead of addressing the real issues facing the country, the BJP is resorting to such tactics to divert attention.
Randeep Surjewala, the chief spokesperson of the Congress party, stated in a press conference, “The BJP government is not fighting against black money but is stealing money ‘from our banks.’ They are resorting to political vendetta by misusing agencies to target political opponents.”
The Congress party has also raised concerns about the timing of these income tax raids, alleging that they are strategically planned to coincide with important political events. With several states heading to the polls and the general elections on the horizon, the political climate in the country is charged, and these developments add fuel to the ongoing political fire.
The BJP, in response, asserts that the raids are conducted based on credible information and evidence of financial irregularities. They argue that the government is committed to upholding transparency and accountability in financial matters.
As the political slugfest intensifies, it raises questions about the impartiality of investigative agencies and their role in addressing financial improprieties. The allegations and counter-allegations between the Congress and the BJP further contribute to the already polarized political landscape in the country.
The income tax row comes at a time when various opposition parties are attempting to unite against the BJP, forming alliances to challenge the ruling party in upcoming elections. The political narrative is shifting between accusations of corruption and misuse of power, making it a critical issue that resonates with the public.
In conclusion,
the income tax controversy has become a battleground for political narratives, with the Congress accusing the BJP of stealing money “from our banks” and the BJP maintaining that the raids are a legitimate effort to combat corruption. As the political drama unfolds, it remains to be seen how these developments will influence public perception and impact the upcoming electoral landscape.
