A day after Congress received fresh notices from Income Tax Department demanding to pay Rs 1,823 crore, Karnataka Minister and Congress leader Priyank Kharge alleged it was a premeditated move by the government. He accused the BJP of leveraging organizations like the I-T and ED to hinder the democratic process and impede Congress's prospects in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.


On Saturday, Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge said, "This is a premeditated decision by the government. The BJP is activating its frontal organisation of I-T and ED...They are trying to cripple the process of democracy and Congress from ensuring a clean sweep (In Lok Sabha elections). 

On the upcoming general elections, he said, "BJP cannot get 400 seats...They are on a shaky wicket."






 


ALSO READ: How Much Money A Candidate Spends In Polls? See What Data Shows As Nirmala Sitharaman Says She Lacks Funds To Fight LS Elections


Deputy CM DK Shivakumar of Karnataka's Congress party accused the NDA of issuing an Income Tax notice to create fear, knowing they would lose the polls. The state party President said, "There is democracy in this country. There is a law. The BJP government is directing the officials and taking this kind of action... They are targeting the Opposition, which means they are afraid of the Congress and the I.N.D.I.A Bloc. The I.N.D.I.A is going to defeat the NDA. The BJP has understood this weakness. They know they will lose the elections. Hence they are trying to create fear. Yesterday night, I also got a notice from IT for a matter which is already settled..."


Earlier, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh and party treasurer Ajay Maken accused the BJP of serious income-tax law violations, urging the I-T department to demand over Rs 4,600 crore from the party for such violations. Ramesh further alleged that the BJP amassed Rs 8,200 crore through the "electoral bonds scam," utilizing various methods including pre-paid and post-paid bribes, post-raid transactions, and shell companies.


"Efforts are being made to financially cripple the Congress, but we are not going to be cowed down," Ramesh said, as per a report on PTI. He affirmed that despite challenges, the Congress's campaign for the upcoming parliamentary polls will persist reiterating the party's commitment to delivering on its promises to the people of the country.