BJP MP’s two ‘commonsensical’ questions to Congress’ ‘tax terrorism’ charge

Also Read: BJP misusing agencies to subvert democracy, belittle Constitution: Kharge

BJP leader’s questions

The Congress has accused the BJP-led government of crippling its funds with illegal Income Tax notices when the Lok Sabha elections were around the corner.

The senior BJP leader’s first question read, “Why is it that you want to file a revised return of your income? Why is the IT department or the tribunal and court not allowing this? Have the rules been newly manufactured to work against you or are they rules that are common to everybody?”

Siroya’s second question was about the motive of the grand old party behind its request for filing revised Income Tax returns.

“Were there any funds that were not declared by the Congress and were discovered during raids of party individuals? Do you want to now conveniently show, retrospectively, as belonging to the party to make it tax-free? Is this why you want to desperately revise your return?” he asked.

The BJP leader further said that Congress’ problem with Income Tax returns was not new.

“Congress’ problem with income tax returns is not new. In 1997, is one of the reasons why Congress withdrew support to the HD Deve Gowda government is because of their income tax returns? Even then they did not want to be told to follow the law,” Siroya asked.

Also Read: Congress says it received fresh I-T notices of over ₹1,800 crore; accuses BJP of ‘tax terrorism’

IT notice to Congress

The Income Tax Department issued a notice of ₹1,800 crore to the Congress party, which included penalties and interest for the assessment years spanning from 2017-18 to 2020-21.

This notice was served shortly after the Delhi High Court dismissed the Congress’ appeals challenging the tax reassessment proceedings initiated by the Income Tax department.

The Delhi High Court rejected the Congress’ petitions contesting the commencement of tax reassessment proceedings for a four-year period by tax authorities.

The party’s challenge against the initiation of tax reassessment proceedings for the assessment years 2014-15 to 2016-17 was also dismissed last week.

Congress had earlier stated that their bank accounts have been frozen. Rahul Gandhi had also accused the Election Commission of not doing anything.

(Edited by Shauqueen Mizaj)