Rahul Gandhi said that when the government changes, Congress will act against the destroyers of democracy
New Delhi:
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi today vowed that the party will take exemplary action against those who have destroyed democracy – “when the government changes” – after the party received an income tax notice of Rs 1,800 crore that it termed “fiscal terrorism”.
The new tax bill applies to assessment years 2017-18 to 2020-21 and includes penalty and interest.
“If the government changes, action will definitely be taken against those who are destroying democracy. And the action will be taken in such a way that no one will have the courage to do it all again. This is my guarantee,” Gandhi said. in a post on the microblogging platform X.
I have ‘लोकतंत्र का चीरहरण’ करने वाल I think it’s good!
I think I did a good job. I think I do
I think it’s good#BJPTaxTerrorismpic.twitter.com/SSkiolorvH
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 29, 2024
The Congress is already facing a shortage of funds after income tax authorities imposed a penalty of Rs 200 crore and froze the funds. It has not received any relief from the Supreme Court. The Congress is likely to go to the Supreme Court next week, just weeks before the Lok Sabha elections.
Mr Gandhi alleged that central departments like income tax are working at the behest of the BJP. Congress is preparing for a long legal war to eliminate the tax requirements. Congress leader Ajay Maken said the BJP has received donations from thousands of people in the last few years and their income tax should also be calculated.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh told reporters that the BJP is also seriously violating income tax laws and requested the tax department to raise a demand of Rs 4,617.58 crore from the BJP.
Congress Treasurer Ajay Maken said political parties must fill Form 24A, which requires two basic and important details to be provided: names and addresses of donors.
“We have analyzed all the submissions made by the BJP to the Election Commission. The party has failed every year,” Maken claimed.
Mr Ramesh alleged that the BJP has collected Rs 8,200 crore through the “electoral bond scam” by using “prepaid, postpaid, post-raid bribes and shell companies”.
“Attempts are being made to financially cripple the Congress, but we will not be intimidated,” Ramesh said.