Kalaburagi:

Congress President M Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday indicated that the party is facing a funds crunch alleging that bank accounts where money donated by people had been kept had been frozen by the BJP-led NDA government, while huge fines have been imposed on the party by the IncomeTax department.

Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP, Mr Kharge also called upon the people to stand strong together and ensure his party’s victory in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, to “save” the Constitution and democracy in the country.

Noting that everyone should have equal opportunity in an election, Mr Kharge accused the BJP of freezing Congress’ bank accounts and imposing huge fines on the party through Income Tax, while “they are not ready to disclose thousands of crores of rupees they have got through electoral bonds, despite Supreme Court’s directions.”

“It was our party money that you the people gave as donations, they have frozen it and we don’t have money to spend…..while, they (BJP) are not disclosing about electoral bonds they got because their theft will come out, their wrong deeds will come out, so they asked for time till July,” he said.

He also claimed that the people of Kalaburagi (Gulbarga), from where he unsuccessfully contested in 2019 elections, have decided to “rectify their mistake” and make Congress victorious in the coming polls.

Mr Kharge was defeated by BJP’s Umesh Jadhav in Gulbarga by a margin of 95,452 votes in the previous elections. Popularly known as “Solillada Saradara”, (a leader without defeat), that was the first electoral loss in his political life spanning several decades.

Speculation is rife that Mr Kharge, who has the role of managing the party nationally and coordinating with the INDIA bloc, may not contest in the Lok Sabha polls and, instead, the party is likely to field his son-in-law Radhakrishna Doddamani, a businessman who also manages educational institutions

“Don’t get cheated, they (BJP) are cheaters, they speak lies. They hide the truth and spread wrong information among people. Ambedkar has said people have to stay united and protect the Constitution and democracy. If there is no Constitution, freedom and unity in this country, this country will be enslaved once again and cannot stand up again,” he said.

Addressing a public meeting here, he said the BJP is speaking against the Constitution these days, and called on the people to fight against it and question it.

“It is a matter of your right….they (BJP) are making an effort (to change the Constitution) BJP claims they have nothing to do with those who speak against the Constitution but does not take action against such people, it is because they (BJP and RSS) are behind people making such statements”, he said, as he urged the people to stand strong together and ensure the Congress’ victory in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

Hitting out at BJP MP Anantkukmar Hegde for his comments regarding amending the Constitution, Mr Kharge further said, the Constitution has “not come just like that and there is sacrifice of large number of people behind it”

Stating that PM Modi is coming to Gulbarga (Kalaburagi) and Bidar in the coming days (for Lok Sabha election campaigning), and Gulbarga in a way has become a “centre” for him as he often comes here, he hit out at the BJP and the PM for not doing anything for the development of the region.

“I asked him (PM) recently when I met him as to why he was repeatedly visiting Gulbarga, where there is severe summer heat and people are in distress for drinking water… He (PM Modi) said there is big airstrip, so he repeatedly comes to Gulbarga when he has to go Latur, Hyderabad side and other nearby places. He is coming on March 18 (March 16), but he (PM Modi) must also give something for Gulbarga, what has he or BJP done?” he said.

New Delhi:

The Congress on Wednesday claimed the Income Tax Department had illegally withdrawn Rs 65 crore from three of its accounts – towards a “unprecedented” tax demand of Rs 210 crore – despite the claim currently being heard by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal. 

In a post on X, Congress leader Ajay Maken pointed out national political parties were exempt from paying income tax (though they do have to file tax returns) and asked if the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party would also receive similar demands.

“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,” he wrote.

“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?” Mr Maken asked on X.

Yesterday, the Income Tax Department mandated banks to transfer over ₹65 crores from @INCIndia, IYC, and NSUI accounts to the government—₹5 crores from IYC and NSUI, and ₹60.25 crores from INC, marking a concerning move by the BJP Government.

Is it common for National… pic.twitter.com/eiObPTtO1D

— Ajay Maken (@ajaymaken) February 21, 2024

“During today’s ITAT proceedings, we presented our case. The hearing is set to continue tomorrow.”

“Funds in question were raised through grassroots efforts, including crowdfunding and membership drives by IYC and NSUI. This raises a crucial question about democracy. Is it under threat?” he continued.

“Our hope now lies with the judiciary… democracy will be over if probe agencies’ action is unchecked.”

Last week the Congress found its main bank accounts frozen by tax officials. These were, however, quickly unfrozen by the tribunal pending the outcome of the hearing that began this afternoon.

READ | “115 Crores Frozen, Don’t Have That Much”: Congress On Bank Accounts Row

The Congress hit out at the BJP and called the tax notices “politically motivated” and “strategically timed to disrupt election preparations”. Mr Maken called them a “disturbing blow to the democratic process”.

“Democracy doesn’t exist; this is like a one-rule party, and the principal opposition party has been subjugated. We seek justice from the judiciary, media, and the people,” the senior leader said.

He said the party submitted its 2018/19 financial details (an election year) 45 days late, but called the freezing of the accounts an extreme measure, arguing there was no precedence for such action.

Mr Maken further said the timing of the freeze raised suspicions about the motives behind the action.

“Right now, we have no money to spend. Electricity bills, staff salaries… everything is impacted. Look at the timing; this is clear,” he said, “We have only one PAN, and the four accounts are all linked.”

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