Sonia Gandhi accuses Indian PM Modi of ‘financially crippling’ opposition

• The party denounces the freezing of its accounts, which hold 2.1 billion rupees ($25 million; £20 million).
• The BJP and the tax department have not yet responded to the allegations.
• The party’s financial situation is deemed to be the freezing of Indian democracy.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government faces accusations from India’s main opposition Congress party of utilizing the tax department to deprive them of finances ahead of elections starting next month. Sonia Gandhi, a leader of Congress, alleged that the government has systematically attempted to cripple the party financially. The party denounced the freezing of its accounts, which hold 2.1 billion rupees ($25 million; £20 million), labeling it as unprecedented and undemocratic.

The BJP and the tax department have not yet responded to the allegations.

Congress leveled the accusations on Thursday during a press conference attended by party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, top leaders Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, and Treasurer Ajay Maken.

Opinion polls anticipate a victory for Mr. Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies in India’s general election, scheduled in seven phases over April and May. The BJP aims for a record consecutive third term in power, as indicated by opinion polls.

Last month, Congress announced that the income tax (IT) department had frozen its bank accounts.

On Thursday, Mr. Maken disclosed that the IT department had frozen 11 party accounts and placed a lien on the 2.1 billion rupees, prohibiting withdrawal or transfer.

“This is not the freezing of the India National Congress’ bank accounts,” Mr Gandhi said. “This is the freezing of Indian democracy.”

Mr. Maken stated that the tax authorities took “unprecedented action” because the party owed 1.4 million rupees.

“All political parties are exempt from income tax. Then why is only the Congress being penalized?” he asked.

Mrs. Gandhi expressed that the party could not access the funds collected from the public and its workers. She stated, “They are forcibly taking money from our accounts.”

Mr. Kharge emphasized that these actions impacted the level-playing field essential for conducting the 2024 general elections. He asserted that it amounted to the destruction of democracy in India.

“We are unable to spend money on our election campaign, on advertisements and publicity, and to pay our party workers and to print campaign materials,” he said.

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