Congress Party’s Bank Accounts Frozen: Treasurer Ajay Maken Claims, ‘No Money to Pay Electricity Bill, Salaries’

The Congress party asserted on Friday that the Income Tax department had frozen four of its primary bank accounts on what it termed “flimsy grounds.” Congress Treasurer Ajay Maken revealed that the accounts were frozen based on an Income Tax demand of ₹210 crore for the fiscal year 2018-19, which coincided with an election year. Maken stated that the party had already appealed with the Income Tax appellate authority.

Addressing a press conference, Maken said, “Democracy has completely ended in India. All the accounts of the country’s main opposition party have been frozen.”

He further elaborated, “Right now we don’t have any money to spend, to pay electricity bills, to pay salaries to our employees. Everything will be impacted, not only Nyay Yatra but all political activities will be impacted.”

Maken, while addressing a press conference, also said the Youth Congress party’s bank account had also been frozen.

“We got information yesterday that banks are not honoring the cheque we are issuing. On further investigation, we got to know that the Youth Congress bank accounts have been frozen,” he further said.

He added, “The accounts of the Congress party have also been seized. Income tax asked for ₹210 crore recovery from Youth Congress and Congress party. The crowdfunding money in our accounts has been frozen. Just two weeks before elections, when the Opposition’s accounts are frozen, it is equivalent to freezing the democracy.”

“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 ANI. “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…”

Mallikarjun Kharge condemned the move

Furthermore, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge condemned the move, describing it as a “deep assault on Indian democracy.” Kharge accused the Modi government of being “power drunk” and alleged that while the BJP would utilize “unconstitutional” funds collected by them for elections, the money collected by the Congress through crowdfunding has been seized. He emphasized, “That is why, I have said that there won’t be any elections in the future. We appeal to the Judiciary to save the multi-party system in this country and protect India’s Democracy.”

Kharge concluded with a vow to resist, stating, “We will take to the streets and fight strongly against this autocracy!”

Grounds on which the bank accounts were frozen:

The income Tax Department ordered the freezing of bank accounts of Congress on two grounds:

• On account of non-filing of return of income within the time limit prescribed by section 139(4B) of the Income Tax Act thereby violating provisions of Section 13 A of the Act for the FY 2018-19.
• On account of accepting donations in excess of ₹2,000 in cash amounting to ₹11.49 lacs.