The issue raised by former Congress president Sonia Gandhi regarding the alleged systematic effort by the Prime Minister to cripple the Indian National Congress financially is a significant allegation. She pointed out instances where funds collected by the party were frozen by the Income Tax Department, affecting their ability to operate effectively, especially in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Sonia Gandhi’s assertion was echoed by senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who emphasized the adverse impact on the party’s ability to fight the elections. He described the freezing of Congress’ bank accounts and the withdrawal of funds by the Income Tax Department as a deliberate attempt to undermine the party financially.
Rahul Gandhi went further to allege that such actions were orchestrated by the Prime Minister and the Home Minister, indicating a high-level involvement in what he termed as “criminal action” against the Congress party. He criticized the lack of response from institutions like the Election Commission and the judiciary, suggesting a broader institutional failure to address the issue.
In addition to the financial challenges, Rahul Gandhi addressed the controversy surrounding his “shakti” remark, clarifying that it was not intended as a religious reference but rather a metaphorical reference to the forces of corruption and falsehood. This clarification came after criticism from BJP leaders who accused him of insulting Hinduism.
Overall, these statements highlight the growing tensions between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress, with allegations of financial manipulation and political vendetta being raised ahead of the elections.