New Delhi: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that he was afraid of the "power of the people." Rahul Gandhi's remarks came after the Income Tax Department froze four accounts belonging to the Congress and its youth wing. "Don't be scared Modiji. Congress is not about the power of money, it's the name of the power of the people. We have never bowed before dictatorship, nor will we ever bow down. Every Congress worker will fight tooth and nail to protect India's democracy," Rahul Gandhi asserted.
Shortly after Congress treasurer Ajay Maken announced the freezing of the accounts, Congress leader Vivek Tankha revealed that the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal had restored them. However, the accounts would operate under strict supervision, with a hearing scheduled for interim relief next Wednesday. Maken hinted that the restoration provided little relief as the accounts still had to maintain a significant lien amount as per the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal's directive. This raised concerns about the practical usability of the accounts, with Maken highlighting the substantial freezing of funds.
The Youth Congress, also affected by the account freeze, condemned the move as an attack on democratic freedoms, particularly ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The freezing of the Congress bank accounts by the Income Tax Department occurred shortly after the Supreme Court invalidated the Electoral Bonds scheme, deeming it unconstitutional. Maken alleged that this was a deliberate tactic to stifle democracy, hindering the opposition party's financial activities crucial for the upcoming elections. He revealed that the accounts were frozen over tax demands from the previous Lok Sabha election period, amounting to Rs 210 crore, a move criticized as undermining democratic processes.
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