"You will be punished for misusing poor people's money": BJP MLA hits back at Congress

Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India], March 22 : After former Congress president Sonia Gandhi levelled serious allegations against the government weeks that the Prime Minister has made a systematic effort to cripple the grand old party financially, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Nitin Nabin emphasized that anyone misappropriating funds intended for the poor will face consequences.
He criticized the Congress party for allegedly diverting the National Herald's property into the family's name, suggesting that action will be taken against such practices.
Lashing out at the Congress party he said, "The way National Herald's property has been diverted to the family's name is evident. If action has been taken in this regard and they (Congress) are worried about it, it's unfortunate."
Nabin reiterated that regardless of who holds power, those who misuse funds meant for the disadvantaged will be held accountable.
"No matter who is in power, if you misuse the money of the poor, you'll be punished," he added.
On the other hand, Congress leaders launched a vehement attack on the BJP regarding the frozen accounts. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah likened the BJP government at the centre to modern-day Asura, criticizing their actions.
He urged the Election Commission to intervene and allow the Congress to access their bank accounts ahead of the parliamentary elections, stating that the freezing of accounts is not just an administrative move but an intentional assault on democracy itself.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday lashed out at the Centre and asserted that there is "no democracy" in India today, alleging that the idea that India is a democracy is a lie.
The Congress MP asserted that by blocking the accounts of the largest opposition party the BJP had caused great damage to Indian democracy.
"This is a criminal action on the Congress party, a criminal action done by the Prime Minister and the Home Minister. So, the idea that India is a democracy is a lie. There is no democracy in India today. The idea that India is the world's largest democracy is a lie. A complete lie," he said.
Soni Gandhi's statement was a reference to the party's claim last month that the Income Tax Department had frozen Rs 115 crore in its bank accounts following a tax demand of Rs 210 crore as dues and penalty for the financial year 2018-19.
Congress leader Ajay Maken alleged that Rs 65 crore had been withdrawn by the department from three of the party's accounts even though a petition against the claim was being heard by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal. Earlier this month, the tribunal had refused to accept the party's petition to stop the department's action against its bank accounts.