Imphal: Former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh Friday urged the people to choose the right party in this upcoming Lok Sabha election if we want to live freely in a democratic country.
“There’s a fear and apprehension in the public that the country is slowly turning towards a nation ruled by a dictator,” the veteran Congress leader said while asserting that even the media, which is considered to be the fourth pillar of democracy, is not able to freely give their opinion, whether it’s a simple observation, constructive suggestion or comments in this country.
Ibobi was reacting to the charges of some Congress leaders that PM Narendra Modi’s government was stifling democracy and ‘crippling’ the party by freezing its several bank accounts in a tax dispute ahead of the general election.
MPCC chief Keisham Meghachandra also touched on the same issue and stated that the ruling party intended to do election activities alone.
Meghachandra said according to Section 13 (a) of the Income Tax Act, many people and well-wishers donated money into the accounts of the political parties and the same is being utilized for political activities including BJP and Congress. Moreover, there is an exemption of tax in this section.
The Congress leader noted that as per section 234 F of the same Act, if a party or person does not file ITR forms or if there are any irregularities in accounting and balanced sheets within the prescribed time limit then late fees or taxable and chargeable amount is only Rs 10,000 in a year. But in the present case against the Congress, the late fee was to the tune of Rs 210 crore, which is unimaginable, Meghachandra fumed.
It meant, the Congress chief said, the ruling BJP government didn’t want the Congress to participate in this election. How can the party conduct an election if the government freezes their accounts, he argued.
