"Highly objectionable": CPI (M) after IT dept freezes party's account in Kerala's Thrissur district

Thiruvananthapuram: The state secretariat of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) strongly condemned the freezing of the account of the Thrissur district committee of CPI(M), deeming it highly objectionable.
In a statement issued, the CPI (M) clarified that its income-expenditure accounts are regularly submitted to both the Income Tax Department and the Election Commission annually, including those of the Thrissur District Committee.
"The party emphasised its commitment to transparency and accountability, asserting that all financial records have been diligently provided as per protocol. Additionally, the CPI(M) reaffirmed its staunch opposition to any wrongdoing, particularly concerning issues related to cooperative banks in Thrissur," the party said in a statement.
"Attributing the account freeze to political vendetta, the CPI(M) accused the BJP-led central government of leveraging central agencies to settle scores during the election period," it added.
The district secretary of Thrissur, MM Varghese, appeared before the enforcement authorities based on a notice issued by them. However, the CPI(M) denounced the sudden freezing of the account by the Income Tax Department without prior notice or explanation, deeming it a misguided action.
"Labelling it as part of the central government's overarching strategy to target opposition parties, the CPI(M) registered a vehement protest against such punitive measures. The party underscored the imperative of collective action to rectify such policies, urging its members to engage in election-related activities to counter such injustices actively," the party said.
This comes after the Income Tax department froze the account of the Thrissur district committee of CPI(M) on the charge that the account was not reflected in the annual returns filed by the party.
Meanwhile, in the matter of the Congress, the Income Tax Department of the Central Government has assured the Supreme Court that it will not take any coercive steps to recover approximately Rs 3500 crore in income tax dues from the Indian National Congress (INC) party until the upcoming general elections are over.
The apex court was hearing an appeal filed by the Congress party in 2018 against a 2016 judgment of the Delhi High Court. In the appeal, the party moved an interim application seeking the recent demand notices issued by the IT department in March.