Congress Targets PM for Freezing Its Bank Accounts

NEW DELHI: The cash-strapped Congress has alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was orchestrating a deliberate campaign to financially bind the party. In a rare press conference with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi said electoral bonds have, on one hand, benefited the BJP hugely, and on the other, the finances of the principal Opposition party are under “determined assault”. Our ability to fight elections has been damaged,” senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said, launching a scathing attack on the government over the issue of freezing the party’s accounts due to an income-tax returns issue. Terming the freezing of accounts a “criminal action” against the Congress by the Prime Minister and home minister Amit Shah, he said: “There is no democracy in India today and the idea that India is the world’s largest democracy is a complete lie.” Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said this was a 'dangerous game' being played by the BJP which would have far-reaching consequences and urged the courts to see that the rule of law is made applicable. “To save democracy, there should be a level playing field,” he said, adding that if constitutional institutions want a free and fair election our party should be allowed to operate our bank accounts freely.