In a heated accusation against the ruling Modi-led BJP government, the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) alleged that the Income Tax department, under the influence of the BJP, has frozen the bank accounts of the INC.
The bank accounts hold approximately Rs 285 crore, which was contributed by grassroots-level workers, MPs, and MLAs as party funds for election campaigns and other expenses.
Addressing the media at the Congress Bhavan in Imphal on Friday, MPCC president Meghachandra expressed grave concerns over the financial constraints faced by the party ahead of the upcoming elections.
“We find ourselves in an extremely tight financial situation. Our party accounts have been frozen to the tune of around Rs 285 crore across many bank branches,” he said.
Criticising the BJP for monopolising the political landscape, he said the BJP alone seems to dominate the upcoming electoral battles, condemning the actions of the ruling government.
He revealed that the party has received two notices from the Income Tax Department, one pertaining to the Financial Year (FY) 2017-18 and another shockingly dating back to FY 1993-94.
“These actions are part of a systematic effort by the government to handicap the Congress party and deprive them of a level playing field in the upcoming elections,” he added.
CLP leader O Ibobi joined the chorus of criticism against the ruling government and accused the BJP of undermining democracy.
He said, “In a country where Prime Minister Modi proclaims India as the mother of democracy, the ruling government’s actions appear to be trampling on democratic values.”
Ibobi further called upon the electorate to seize the upcoming Lok Sabha elections as an opportunity to instigate change and reclaim democracy from the clutches of the BJP.
