Congress questions EC over the recent I-T raids

A delegation of Congress Party questioned the Election Commission over the raids conducted by Income Tax department recently. They also questioned the ruling party, asking why are such raids not conducted in any BJP leader's house.

New Delhi:A delegation of the Congress Party, led by Abhishek Manu Singhvi along with other leaders from West Bengal, appealed the Election Commission of India to question the recent raids conducted by Income Tax department, even after the Model Code of Conduct is enforced.

Also, the party had submitted evidence depicting the 'unsafe' environment in West Bengal, to conduct free and fair elections.

While addressing the media, Manu Singhvi said, "Today, they are in power, tomorrow someone else will be. If these kinds of raids will become a precedent during the poll period, then the elections will be a joke."

"I want to ask one question, why not even a single raid of Income Tax department has happened in the house of a BJP leader? Why do they always target the opposition parties?" he added.

On Monday, Congress party submitted a recorded video of West Bengal which gives clear evidence of violence occurring during the Election period.

"The video clearly shows people roaming around in their area carrying weapons and ammunition along with them. In such circumstances, it is really difficult to conduct free and fair elections. That is why we have asked the Election Commission to deploy central paramilitary forces in all the voting booths," Singhvi added.

The Income Tax Department sleuths searched and seized huge cash and several documents during raids at the residence of MP Chief Minister Kamal Nath's Officer on special duty (OSD) Praveen Kakkar and some other premises, in Bhopal on Sunday.

As per reports, the searches are linked to the suspected movement of hawala money during the ongoing polls season and tax evasion.