Congress’ bank accounts frozen, later restored

As the Lok Sabha elections approach, the bank accounts of India's major opposition party, Indian National Congress, were frozen, prompting Congress leaders to decry what they call a vicious and disturbing blow to the democratic process.

However, after the Congress disclosed the action and charged that the action was like freezing democracy, the freezing was lifted by the Income Tax Department Appellate Authority (ITAT), but subject to the condition that the party has to ensure that Rs 115 crores are kept in the banks as lien. The ITAT has allowed the Congress party to spend amount over and above Rs 115 crores. But according to Congress Treasurer Ajay Maken, who disclosed the unfreezing, said that the party has much less than Rs 115 crores on their current account.

This comes just a day after the Supreme Court deemed the BJP government's introduced electoral bond scheme unconstitutional.

It was Ajay Maken who revealed during a press conference that the party's bank accounts had been frozen, effectively halting all financial transactions.

This freeze, he claimed, was a result of a demand by the Income Tax department to return a staggering sum of Rs 210 crore, citing a delay in filing income tax returns for the fiscal year 2018-19. Maken further alleged that this action was politically motivated, coming at a crucial time just weeks before the general elections.

The ramifications of this freeze are far-reaching for the Congress party. Maken lamented that essential expenses such as electricity bills and staff salaries were now at risk due to the lack of available funds. Additionally, planned political activities, including the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, a nationwide campaign, would be significantly impacted.

Maken emphasized that the timing of this freeze was highly suspicious, raising concerns about the motives behind the Income Tax department's actions. He added that while the party had indeed submitted its accounts late, such drastic measures were unprecedented and unjustified. Maken stated that the party had taken legal recourse, with the matter currently before the ITAT.

Echoing Maken's sentiments, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge expressed grave apprehension, accusing the ruling government of abusing its power to stifle opposition voices.

He condemned the freezing of the Congress party's accounts as a direct attack on democracy, asserting that the move was aimed at undermining the party's ability to participate effectively in the upcoming elections.

Furthermore, Kharge raised concerns about the unequal treatment of political parties, pointing out the disparity between the freezing of Congress' accounts and the alleged unchecked flow of funds to the ruling BJP. He warned that such actions threatened the multi-party system and the very fabric of India's democracy.

In response to these developments, the Congress party announced its intention to launch a nationwide agitation against what it perceives as an assault on democracy. Party leaders vowed to fight vigorously against what they described as "injustice and dictatorship," calling upon the judiciary, media, and the people to safeguard India's democratic principles.

As the nation braces itself for the upcoming elections, the freezing of Congress' accounts has sent shockwaves through the political landscape, igniting debates about the sanctity of democratic institutions and the need for impartial governance. With both legal and political battles on the horizon, the coming weeks promise to be a tumultuous period in Indian politics.