Sarma Slams Congress: Tax Notice Sparks Accusations Of Neglecting The Poor

A swipe was taken at the Congress by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over the income tax notice, highlighting that if the party hadn't been paying its taxes, it was against "welfare activities, the poor, and the downtrodden", on Friday.

Sarma, one of the sharpest critics of the Congress, expressed that benefits to the poor were being denied by the party's failure to pay taxes.

Photo Credit: PTI

Sarma Slams Congress on Tax

Sarma emphasized that the denial of tax to the government implies the denial of benefits to the poor, as tax money is designated for public welfare. Further, he suggested that if taxes are not being paid by Congress, it indicates opposition to welfare activities, the poor, and the downtrodden.

The Congress, on Friday, received a tax notice demanding ₹1823 crore. Later, it claimed that the BJP also violated income tax laws and suggested it should receive a demand notice of ₹4600 crore. Congress leader Ajay Maken also accused the BJP of violating tax rules. Tax terrorism was attributed to the BJP by Jairam Ramesh.

"Efforts are underway to financially weaken the Congress, but we refuse to be intimidated," stated Ramesh. According to Ajay Maken, the Income Tax department is targeting not only Congress but also other Opposition parties. "The unlawful attempt to freeze the bank accounts of the main opposition party back in February has persisted for over a month, just before the general election," remarked Ajay Maken.

Rahul Gandhi issued the most forceful criticism, promising stringent action against those attempting to undermine democracy once the "government changes." "In the event of a change in government, decisive action will be taken against those who 'assassinate democracy'! This action will be so decisive that no one will dare to repeat such acts. I guarantee it," Rahul Gandhi declared in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Jairam Ramesh, a Congress leader, announced that the party would stage a protest against the ongoing tax intimidation by the "Modi government."

"To protest against the continuous tax intimidation by the Modi Government towards @INCIndia, all Pradesh Congress Committees (PCCs) will organize large public demonstrations at the state and district headquarters tomorrow and the following day. Senior leaders and party officials will participate. Here is the circular issued by the GS Organisation @kcvenugopalmp regarding this, along with the Background Note for AICC Treasurer @ajaymaken's Press Conference today," Jairam shared on X.