Bank Accounts Of INC & Youth Congress Frozen By I-T Dept On ‘Flimsy Grounds’, Claims Ajay Maken

New Delhi: Congress Treasurer Ajay Maken on Friday claimed that bank accounts of the Indian National Congress and Indian Youth Congress have been frozen by the Income Tax department.

The party alleged that it was done following a 45-delay in filing I-T return for the year 2018-19. “We got information yesterday that banks are not honouring the cheque we are issuing. On further investigation, we got to know that the Youth Congress bank accounts have been frozen. The accounts of the Congress party have also been seized. Income tax asked for Rs 210 crore recovery from Youth Congress and Congress party. The crowdfunding money in our accounts has been frozen. Just 2 weeks before elections when the opposition’s accounts are frozen, it is equivalent to freezing the democracy…,” the former union minister said, adding that they have already appealed to the Income Tax appellate authority.

While questioning the motive behind the alleged freeze of party accounts ahead of the forthcoming elections, Maken said, “For the first time in the country’s history, accounts of the principal opposition party have been frozen by the tax authorities on flimsy grounds, barely two weeks before the announcement of general elections. Will there be a single-party rule in the country?”

Maken added that the party does not have money to pay electricity bills and salaries to employees. “Everything will be impacted, not only Nyay Yatra but all political activities will be impacted…” he said.

Later reports said that the party’s accounts were unfrozen some time after Maken’s press conference.