New Delhi

In a significant blow to the Congress ahead of Lok Sabha polls, the party said that it had received fresh notices from the Income Tax department, with a tax demand amounting to over Rs 1,745 crore (2,09,274 USD) for the assessment years 2014-15 to 2016-17.

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With the latest development, the Income Tax department has raised a demand of Rs 3,567 crore (4,27,783 USD) from the grand old party. 

The fresh tax notices are linked to 2014-15 (Rs 663 crore), 2015-16 (approximately Rs 664 crore) and 2016-17 (approximately Rs 417 crore), news agency PTI reported citing sources.

The authorities have removed tax exemption given to the political parties because of returns not being filed and further added that they were now subject to pay tax for the entire amount collected.

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The grand old party, according to the sources, has also been taxed for "third-party entries" made in diaries which were seized by probe agencies from some of the party leaders during raids at multiple locations, said sources.

Also read: Opposition unites at INDIA bloc rally over Kejriwal’s arrest to take on BJP

Congress accuses IT department of double standards

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Congress on Friday (Mar 29) accused the Income Tax Department of double standards alleging that it penalised the grand old party over a violation of Rs 14 lakh (16,789 USD) but was silent at the time the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) made a violation of Rs 42 crore (50,36,997 USD) that entailed a penalty of Rs 4,600 crore (5,51,671 USD).

While addressing a press conference, Congress leaders Jairam Ramesh and Ajay Maken alleged that the ruling party at the Centre was making attempts to stifle the grand old party financially ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.

Maken stated that it was the Election Commission's responsibility to ensure fair play during the elections.

"We have received notices from the time of Sitaram Kesari, from 1993-94... We have been demanded to pay Rs 53 crores from the time of Sitaram Kesari. A total demand of Rs 1823 crores has been made by the IT department from Congress," he said.

"We have analysed all violations of the BJP using the same parameters they used to analyse our violations... BJP has a penalty of Rs 4600 crore. The income Tax department should raise a demand from the BJP for the payment of this amount," he added.

Maken alleged that the saffron party was making efforts to weaken the Congress financially by freezing their bank accounts ahead of Lok Sabha polls.

"Our analysis reveals that out of the 1,297 individuals who donated to the BJP, their identities remain undisclosed with no addresses or evidence of contribution totalling Rs 42 crore, indicating a blatant breach of regulations. Additionally, there are 92 individuals whose names are absent from the list but they provided electoral bonds to the BJP," he said.

(With inputs from agencies)