Rahul Gandhi after receiving tax notice of Rs 1,800 crore

New Delhi:

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi today pledged to take action against those who undermine democracy “when there is a change of government” after the party received a Rs 1,800-crore income tax notice, terming it “tax terrorism” people take exemplary action.

The new tax notice is applicable for the assessment years 2017-18 to 2020-21 and includes penalties and interest.

“When there is a change of government, action will definitely be taken against those who are destroying democracy. And it will be done in such a way that no one will have the courage to do this again. This is my guarantee,” said Mr Gandhi, posting on microblogging platform X .

When the government changes, action will be taken against those ‘dismantling democracy’!

And by taking such action, no one will have the courage to do it again.

This is my guarantee.#BJPTaxTerrorismpic.twitter.com/SSkiolorvH

—Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 29, 2024

Congress is already facing a cash crunch after the income tax authorities imposed a penalty of Rs 200 crore and froze its funds. It has not yet received any relief from the High Court. Next, the Congress is likely to approach the Supreme Court, just weeks before the Lok Sabha elections.

Mr. Gandhi claimed that central departments such as income tax were working as per the demands of the BJP. Congress is preparing for a long legal battle to repeal the tax requirement. Congress leader Ajay Maken said the BJP has received donations from thousands of people over the past few years and their income tax should also be included in the calculation.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh told reporters that the BJP had also seriously violated the income tax laws and asked the tax department to demand Rs 4,617.58 crore from the BJP.

Congress party treasurer Ajay Maken said political parties must fill out Form 24A, in which two basic and important pieces of information must be provided: the name and address of the donor.

“We analyzed all the submissions made by the BJP to the Election Commission. The party is faltering every year,” Mr Macon claimed.

Ramesh alleged that the BJP collected Rs 8,200 crore through the “electoral bonds scam” using “advance, post-pay, post-raid bribes and shell companies”.

“Efforts are being made to weaken Congress financially, but we will not be deterred,” Ramesh said.