'Congress Bank Accounts Frozen 2 Weeks Before Elections, Democracy Dead In India': Ajay Maken

The freezing of the Congress party's bank accounts by the Income Tax Department, as articulated by Treasurer Ajay Maken.

In a big claim, the Congress party today said that the Income Tax Department has frozen its bank accounts leaving it with no money to handle day to day activities. Addressing a press conference, Congress leader and party's treasurer Ajay Maken expressed grave concerns over this action, alleging that it as an "alarming sign of democratic values being undermined in India" and that to weeks before the crucial Lok Sabha polls. According to Maken, the freezing of the party's accounts is not "just an operational setback but signifies a deeper crisis for democracy in the country."

केंद्र सरकार पर कांग्रेस द्वारा लगाए गए आरोप पर बीजेपी ने क्या कहा, सुनिए#Congress #BankAccount #AccountFreeze #IncomeTax | @JournoPranay @Ravi_ZeeNews pic.twitter.com/8FIjfWYgRe

— Zee News (@ZeeNews) February 16, 2024

"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," said Maken. He further said, "We got information yesterday that banks are not honouring the cheque we are issuing. 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. Income tax asked for Rs 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."

This financial stranglehold has put the Congress party in a precarious position, with Maken highlighting the immediate repercussions on the party's operations. "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," he stated.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge accused the Modi government of being 'power-drunk'. "Power drunk Modi Govt has frozen the accounts of the country’s largest Opposition party - the Indian National Congress - just before the Lok Sabha elections. This is a deep assault on India's Democracy ! The UNCONSTITUTIONAL money collected by the BJP would be utilised by them for elections, but the money collected by us through CROWDFUNDING shall be sealed! 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. We will take to the streets and fight strongly against this autocracy!" he said.

Power drunk Modi Govt has frozen the accounts of the country’s largest Opposition party - the Indian National Congress - just before the Lok Sabha elections.

This is a deep assault on India's Democracy !

The UNCONSTITUTIONAL money collected by the BJP would be utilised by them…

— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) February 16, 2024

The freezing of accounts comes at a critical time for the Congress party, which has been actively engaging in political activities and campaigns across the country. The move by the Income Tax Department has raised questions about the motivations behind this decision and its implications on the political landscape in India.