Congress Bank Accounts 'Restored' But With A Cruel Twist, Rahul & Kharge Slam PM Modi. Top Points

After making the allegations, Congress announced that the party approached the Income Tax Appellate Authority (ITAT) over the issue, which granted them interim relief.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, PM Modi, and Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge. ( Image Source :PTI )

Congress on Friday claimed that the Income Tax Department has frozen four of its bank accounts on "flimsy grounds". After making the allegations, Congress announced that the party approached the Income Tax Appellate Authority (ITAT) over the issue, which granted them interim relief. While releasing the news, Congress Rajya Sabha MP Vivek Tankha stated: “Very graciously, the ITAT said that there will be only a lien on the bank account. There are no restrictions. The party can operate its accounts." The tribunal will hear the matter on Wednesday, he stated.

However, confusion prevailed after Ajay Maken stated that the tribunal has set a lien of Rs 115 crore, which exceeds the amount that Congress currently has in its bank account . 

Top Points

1. Congress treasurer Ajay Maken stated that bank accounts, including those of the Indian Youth Congress, were freezed due to an income tax demand of Rs 210 crore for the 2018-19 election year. Maken stated that Congress filed its income tax return for the relevant year "a few days late," which is why this action was taken, according to PTI.

2. Slamming the decision, Maken stated: "Democracy doesn't exist; this is like a one-rule party, and the principal opposition party has been subjugated. We seek justice from the judiciary, media, and the people."

3. A hearing on the matter was held in the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) today. Appearing on behalf of the grand old party, Rajya sabha MP, and senior lawyer Vivek Tankha stated that after the accounts has been frozen, Congress will not be able to partake in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, and appealed to the tribunal to unfreeze the accounts. After the hearing, Congress leader stated that the accounts has been restored, however, there will be a lien set by the tribuna.

4. However, uncertainty reigned when Maken intimated that the restoration mattered little to the party because its account had far less than the lien amount permitted by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal. A lien is the minimum amount that must be held in the account to clear dues or pay obligations. Taking to X, Maken stated: "On our petition, Income Tax Department and the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) has said that we have to ensure that Rs 115 crores have to be kept in the Banks. This 115 crore is the lien marked in the Bank Accounts. We can spend an amount over and above that. This means that Rs 115 crores have been frozen. This Rs 115 crores is much more than we have in our Current Accounts."

5. Meanwhile, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge slammed the centre over freezing the party's bank accounts. Taking to X, Kharge stated: "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 Congress president also urged the judiciary to defend India's multi-party system and protect democracy. Kharge stated that the party will take to the streets and fight hard against this "autocracy."

6. Rahul Gandhi, a Congress MP, took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming that he was afraid of the "power of the people". Rahul Gandhi was reacting to the Income Department blocking four accounts belonging to the Congress and its youth wing. Taking to X, Gandhi stated: "Daro mat Modiji. Congress dhan ki taaqat nahi, jan ki taaqat ka naam hai. [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.]"

7. Indian Youth Congress holds protest against BJP Government for the freezing of bank accounts of Congress party and over electoral bonds, outside IYC office in Delhi.