The Aryavarth Express
Agency(New Delhi): In a recent assertion, Sonia Gandhi, along with other top Congress leaders, accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of systematically attempting to financially disable the Congress party. This accusation came as the party heightened its plea for access to its bank accounts, claiming this was crucial for maintaining fairness in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
During a press conference attended by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, it was revealed that all party accounts had been frozen due to disputes over Income Tax returns. This move, according to the party’s leadership, severely impacts not just Congress’s campaign capabilities but also the democratic foundations of India.
“Our campaign efforts are halted, and our electoral competitiveness has been significantly undermined,” stated Rahul Gandhi, expressing a strong disapproval of the government’s actions. Kharge echoed this sentiment, calling for the accounts to be defroze to ensure equity in the electoral contest.
The press conference also saw the participation of Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary, and Ajay Maken, AICC treasurer. Maken accused the BJP of appropriating Congress’s donations, claiming an unlawful withdrawal of Rs 115.32 crore from the frozen accounts.
Rahul Gandhi further criticized the current state of democracy in India, disputing the country’s status as the world’s largest democracy. Sonia Gandhi emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that the financial attacks on Congress not only target the party but also deeply affect Indian democracy itself.
She highlighted the contrast between the unrestricted flow of funds to the BJP through electoral bonds, deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, and the stringent financial constraints placed on Congress. This disparity, she argued, presents an unprecedented challenge to the fairness of the electoral process.
Kharge appealed to constitutional bodies for the restoration of account access to Congress, stressing the necessity of free and fair elections. He criticized the ruling party’s monopolization of electoral funding mechanisms such as electoral bonds, which he believes are being used to disadvantage the opposition.
The unfolding scenario presents a stark picture of the financial battles faced by India’s principal opposition party, raising concerns about the equitable conduct of the forthcoming elections.
