NEW DELHI: Congress leader KC Venugopal has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of siphoning ₹65.89 crore from the bank accounts of the All India Congress Committee (AICC), Indian Youth Congress, and National Students’ Union of India (NSUI). This comes in response to the Income Tax Department’s deduction from the aforementioned accounts.
Venugopal alleged that the BJP is plundering Congress funds, asserting, “They’re trying to shut the voice of India’s opposition. This is an example of dictatorship.” He further emphasised that the BJP has never paid income tax as a political party and deemed the tax deduction as an attack on democratic principles.
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Contrary to the BJP’s claims, Venugopal challenged them to provide evidence of facing similar treatment during the Congress-led UPA government or Congress rule. He underlined the source of Congress funds, stating, “Unlike the BJP, we got this money from ordinary workers of the party.”
Congress leader Ajay Maken, on the other hand, highlighted the unequal tax treatment between the BJP and Congress. He questioned the demand for ₹210 crore in taxes from the Congress while claiming that neither party pays income tax. Maken revealed that the Congress has moved the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) against the tax recovery.
“Yesterday (Tuesday), the Income Tax department mandated banks to transfer over Rs 65 crores from Congress, IYC, and NSUI accounts to the government — Rs 5 crores from IYC and NSUI, and Rs 60.25 crores from INC, marking a concerning move by the BJP Government,” Maken posted on X.
He questioned, “Is it common for national political parties to pay Income Tax? No. Does the BJP pay Income Tax? No. Why then is the Congress Party facing an unprecedented demand of ₹210 crores?”
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The Income Tax department countered Congress’s allegations, stating that the party violated rules, treating it as a normal taxpayer. The department argued that Congress’s attempt to depict itself as a target before general elections is a false narrative.
This ongoing financial dispute intensified last week when the Income Tax department froze Congress accounts over what the party called “flimsy charges.” Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge condemned the move as a “deep assault on India’s Democracy.”
Party treasurer Ajay Maken accused the government of undemocratically withdrawing ₹65 crore from Congress, IYC, and NSUI accounts, even as the matter is sub judice. Maken stressed that the funds were raised through grassroots efforts, including crowdfunding and membership drives.
The Congress, in a statement, expressed concern over the potential threat to India’s democracy and questioned the actions of central government agencies. Maken warned that if unchecked, democracy in India would be in jeopardy.
