The BJP has strongly criticized former Congress President Sonia Gandhi's accusation against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging a "systematic effort to cripple Congress financially" ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. In response to Sonia Gandhi's remarks, BJP national president JP Nadda asserted that the Congress's woes stem from moral and intellectual bankruptcy rather than financial difficulties.
Addressing a press conference, Sonia Gandhi accused the Prime Minister of orchestrating a deliberate campaign to financially incapacitate the Congress, while Rahul Gandhi, a party MP, claimed that all their bank accounts had been frozen, hindering their ability to conduct campaign activities and support party workers and candidates.
Reacting to these allegations, JP Nadda denounced the Congress leadership's statements as a desperate attempt to divert attention from their impending electoral defeat. He emphasized that the Congress's financial troubles are a result of their own shortcomings and ethical lapses, not external interference.
Nadda highlighted instances where Congress failed to comply with tax regulations despite warnings from authorities like the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) and the Delhi High Court. He criticized the party for blaming the BJP for their predicament and suggested that they should rectify their internal issues instead of shifting blame.
Furthermore, Nadda ridiculed the notion of the Congress being financially helpless, pointing out their history of corruption scandals and suggesting that they could use ill-gotten gains from past scams for electioneering purposes. He also reminded the Congress of their own authoritarian past, referencing the Emergency period of 1975-1977.
Echoing Nadda's sentiments, BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad characterized the Congress's press conference as an attempt to create excuses for their anticipated defeat in the upcoming elections. He cautioned the Congress against allowing Rahul Gandhi to speak, insinuating that his statements only serve to further undermine the party's credibility.
Similarly, BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli dismissed the Congress's claims, attributing their financial troubles to their own negligence and failure to comply with legal obligations. He emphasized that the income tax laws apply equally to all citizens, including political parties like the Congress, and criticized their attempts to evade accountability by shifting blame onto the BJP.
