Following Rs 1,800 Crore IT Notice, Rahul Gandhi Says When Government Changes…….
New Delhi: After receiving a hefty Rs 1,800 crore notice from the Income Tax Department spanning from 2017-18 to 2020-21, the Congress party found itself embroiled in a financial storm. This notice, coupled with penalties and interest, came hot on the heels of a Delhi High Court dismissing the party’s petition challenging the tax notices.
In a departure from his usual demeanor, former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi delivered a passionate speech, promising retribution when his party ascends to power. When the government changes, action will be taken against those undermining democracy. It will be swift and decisive, leaving a lasting impact, he declared in a post on X platform.
जब सरकार बदलेगी तो ‘लोकतंत्र का चीरहरण’ करने वालों पर कार्रवाई ज़रूर होगी!
और ऐसी कार्रवाई होगी कि दोबारा फिर किसी की हिम्मत नहीं होगी, ये सब करने की।
ये मेरी गारंटी है।#BJPTaxTerrorism pic.twitter.com/SSkiolorvH
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 29, 2024
Accusations flew as the Congress alleged financial strangulation by the BJP, accusing them of wielding the Income Tax Department as a political tool in the run-up to the general elections. Jairam Ramesh, another prominent Congress leader, decried the notices as “tax terrorism” aimed at crippling the party financially. Despite the onslaught, the Congress vowed to persevere, asserting its commitment to the upcoming parliamentary polls and pledging to take its promises directly to the people.
This financial showdown isn’t new ground for the Congress. In February, the party faced a demand of ₹200 crore from the I-T department due to discrepancies in its tax returns. The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal’s decision to freeze the party’s accounts only added fuel to the fire, drawing accusations of an assault on democracy, particularly as it coincided with the looming Lok Sabha elections.
The issue of political funding has taken center stage, especially following the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down electoral bonds. This move, celebrated by the Congress and other opposition parties, dealt a blow to a scheme that had predominantly favored the BJP, highlighting the contentious nature of financial transparency in Indian politics.
