Ajay Maken

1. Congress Treasurer Ajay Maken raises concerns over ₹65 crore withdrawal by the Income Tax Department.
2. Maken questions fairness as National Political Parties, including BJP, typically don’t pay income tax.
3. Congress faces unprecedented demand for ₹210 crores amidst judicial review of income tax issue.

New Delhi, Feb 21: Congress treasurer Ajay Maken has raised concerns over the income tax department’s withdrawal of ₹65 crore from the party’s accounts across various banks, even as the issue of Congress paying income tax remains under judicial review.

Maken questioned the fairness of the situation, highlighting that while National Political Parties, including the BJP, typically do not pay income tax, the Congress Party is facing an unprecedented demand for ₹210 crores.

He emphasized that during the proceedings at the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), the Congress presented its case, with the hearing set to continue.

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The funds in question, Maken clarified, were raised through grassroots efforts, such as crowdfunding and membership drives conducted by the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) and National Students’ Union of India (NSUI).

This development has sparked broader questions about the integrity of democracy, Maken suggested, hinting at a potential threat to democratic processes.

The allegation stems from the freezing of Congress’s main bank accounts on February 16, following an income tax demand of ₹210 crore.

Subsequently, an I-T appellate tribunal granted permission for the main account to function temporarily, pending the scheduled hearing on Thursday.

The situation underscores a significant legal and financial challenge for the Congress Party, as it navigates through the intricacies of tax regulations and judicial proceedings.