In a scathing rebuke, DMK leader and Lok Sabha MP Kanimozhi lambasted the BJP's decision to freeze the Congress party's primary bank accounts, characterizing it as a blatant attempt to stifle democratic engagement. The freezing of these accounts, triggered by a substantial Rs 210 crore income tax demand, elicited widespread condemnation. However, an appellate tribunal's intervention granted temporary respite, allowing the Congress to operate their accounts until further hearings next week.
Speaking at a public gathering in Ottapidaram, Thoothukudi, Kanimozhi exuded confidence in the opposition INDIA bloc's ability to secure victory in the impending Lok Sabha polls. She emphasized the imperative of ushering in a new political era, decrying the BJP's potential retention of power as detrimental to the nation's interests. Despite the BJP's bullish claims of securing over 400 seats, Kanimozhi remained steadfast in her belief in the possibility of a regime change, citing recent setbacks in state elections.
Turning her attention to the BJP's financial underpinnings, Kanimozhi highlighted revelations from RTIs indicating the party's receipt of an exorbitant sum exceeding Rs 6,000 crore through electoral bonds. Introduced by the BJP government in the 2017-18 Union Budget, electoral bonds enabled clandestine financial contributions to political parties. However, the recent Supreme Court ruling declaring the electoral bond scheme unconstitutional underscored growing concerns over transparency and fairness in political financing.
Kanimozhi's condemnation of the freezing of Congress' bank accounts underscores broader apprehensions regarding the erosion of democratic norms and the undue influence of money in politics. The unfolding events underscore the urgent need for robust safeguards to uphold the integrity of India's democratic processes.
