Thursday, May 2

“A Premediated Political Motivation Of Modi Government”: Yechury Writes To EC Over I-T Notices

Edited by Aishwarya Krishnan
“Premediated Political Motivation Of Modi Government”: Yechury Writes To EC Over I-T Notices (image-X/SitaramYechury)

The General Secretary of CPI(M), Sitaram Yechury, has written a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner complaining against the Income Tax notices against the party’s Thrissur district committee for alleged irregularities.

He highlighted that the party had already submitted to the I-T and ECI “as part of the consolidated accounts,” which can be found on their websites. “No objections were raised all through the year,” he added. In fact, Yechury emphasized that the party had been commended by the I-T authority for its record of compliance with the tax laws “several times in the past.”

Calling it a “premediated political motivation of the Modi government against the CPI(M)-led LDF in Kerala,” Yechury questioned the timing of being served the I-T notices right when the election process had begun.

Referring to the I-T authority’s statement to the Supreme Court in another tax related issue, the CPI(M) leader highlighted that the authority had stated not to pursue such issues during the election period.

Casting doubt on whether the I-T authority had consulted the EC for its concurrence before acting so, the letter describes the actions of the I-T department during the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) as “violative of a level playing field.”

“Is it a mere coincidence that the BJP is contesting the Thrissur parliamentary constituency?” asked Yechury.

The CPI(M) leader concludes the letter by urging the Chief of EC to direct the I-T department to put “this obnoxious order” in a temporary halt till the election period is over, using the EC’s power under Article 324 of the Constitution.

On April 6, the I-T department froze the account of the Thrissur district committee of the party, citing that the account was not reflected in the annual returns filed by the CPI (M). At the time of freezing, the account had an amount of Rs 4.8 crore.