Congress accuses BJP of awarding government contracts after accepting electoral bonds

The Rajya Sabha member also claimed that this was a classic example of gaining business through bribing.

He was addressing reporters during a press conference held by the grand old party following the freezing of its bank accounts by the Income Tax (I-T) department.

Also Read: Congress gets Income Tax notice for assessment year 1994-95

Serious issue

Senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi said during the press conference that freezing the accounts was very serious and affected not just the Congress but the democracy in India.

“A systematic effort is underway by the prime minister to cripple the Congress financially. Funds collected from the public are being frozen, and money from our accounts is being taken away forcibly. However, even under these most challenging circumstances, we are doing our best to maintain the effectiveness of our election campaign,” she said.

“On the one hand, there is the electoral bonds issue, which has been declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. The electoral bonds have benefitted the BJP hugely. On the other hand, the finances of the principal opposition party, the Congress, are under a determined assault. This is truly unprecedented,” she added.

The views of the former party chief were echoed by the Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge who said, “The BJP has gathered around ₹8,000 crore using the now unconstitutional electoral bonds and on the other hand the accounts of the principal Opposition party are frozen.”

He demanded to ensure a level playing field ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.