The Congress party on Friday raised concerns over the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) alleged violations of income tax laws, coinciding with the receipt of fresh notices from the income-tax department demanding payment of approximately Rs 1,823 crore. The party accused the BJP of using tax authorities to target opposition parties financially. longside the Congress, left-wing parties such as the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI-M] also found themselves embroiled in similar tax controversies.


Alongside the Congress, left-wing parties such as the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI-M] also found themselves embroiled in similar tax controversies. The CPI reported receiving a notice from the Income Tax department for using an outdated PAN card, while the CPI-M faces a recovery notice of Rs 15.59 crore for failing to declare a bank account in its tax returns for the fiscal year 2016-17.


In the midst of escalating Lok Sabha election campaigning, the Congress vehemently accused the ruling BJP of resorting to "tax terrorism" to undermine democracy. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge highlighted the discrepancies, stating, "The I-T department has now given a notice to the Congress for a total amount of Rs 1,823 crore", as quoted by news agency PTI. The party has already faced a withdrawal of Rs 135 crore from its accounts.






Congress Protest On Sunday Over I-T Action


The Congress party announced a protest to be held on Saturday over the I-T action. "In light of this egregious attack on democracy and the imposition of tax terrorism on our party amidst the crucial Lok Sabha Elections, all PCCs are requested to hold massive public demonstrations at the State and District headquarters in their respective states tomorrow and the following day," a statement by Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal read.






The Congress, along with other opposition parties, is seeking legal recourse against these alleged improprieties. Ajay Maken, Congress treasurer, asserted, "We have analysed all the submissions of the BJP to the Election Commission... The party has faltered every year." He also hinted at contemplating filing a public interest litigation (PIL) against the perceived favouritism of tax authorities towards the BJP.


Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP of misusing probe agencies for "tax terrorism" and warned of repercussions once the government changes. He vowed to take exemplary action against such practices if the party comes to power at Centre.






Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary, further criticised the BJP's alleged involvement in the electoral bonds scam, amounting to Rs 8,200 crore. He said the Supreme Court will soon hear the grand old party's plea on the I-T department's demands from it as their case is scheduled to be heard on April 1.


Ajay Maken emphasised the need for a level-playing field, especially concerning financial impositions on political parties. He questioned the fairness of subjecting the Congress to income tax payments during the 2024 Lok Sabha election and called upon electoral authorities to ensure transparency and fairness in the electoral process.






Left Parties, Trinamool Congress Get I-T Notices


The CPI stated it had received a notice from the income-tax department for using an old PAN card while filing tax returns during the last few years.


"We are seeking legal assistance and consulting our lawyers," a senior CPI leader told PTI.


As per PTI's report, a CPI leader earlier informed that the notice was for Rs 11 crore dues, however later another senior leader stated that the notice did not mention the penalty amount.


The I-T department has also withdrawn the tax exemption of the CPI (Marxist) for 2016-17 and taxed the Left party Rs 15.59 crore for not declaring a bank account in its tax returns for the year. The CPI(M) has claimed that it had filed its income tax returns in compliance with the notice and submitted various submissions from time to time, and that not mentioning the bank account was an oversight on its part.


Trinamool Congress leader Saket Gokhale also claimed he has received 11 I-T notices in the last 72 hours.






Union Minister Anurag Thakur On Congress Fund 'Freeze'


Regarding I-T notices to the Congress, Union Minister Anurag Thakur at the ABP Shikhar Sammelan said, "Jeep Scam happened in 1947. The Bofors scam happened. The list is long. Where was the money spent? How did this situation arise? You have to file an income tax return on donations. Can we make a law allowing parties to do corruption and not face probes? For parties to not file income tax returns and not face any questions?" More On It: 'Where Did You Spend Money Earned Through Scams': Anurag Thakur At ABP Shikhar Sammelan Dismisses Cong Allegations