Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday said an independent commission must be set up to investigate the source of funding for political parties, reported PTI. “We demand setting up of an independent commission to probe into bank accounts details of political parties over the past five years,” said Kejriwal. He added that it was wrong if political parties are not investigated even if they deposit Rs 2,500 crore while the common people are being inquired if they deposit Rs 2.5 lakh individually.
The Delhi chief minister’s demand comes a day after Union Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia said that political parties were exempted from restrictions on depositing old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes in their bank accounts. Adhia added that the exemption provision, under Section 13A of the Income Tax Act, provided relief to political parties on the condition that they have been filing their income tax returns annually.
Kejriwal, who accused the political parties of hoarding the maximum share of black money, said the decision was taken after Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reported PTI. He also urged Gandhi to make public the documents he claimed will reveal Modi’s involvement in corruption scandals. “He is not sharing details of Modi’s corruption, is only talking about it... Then he meets the PM and seals a deal,” said the Aam Aadmi Party convenor.
Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the Centre of creating a rift between the public and political parties with its decision to exempt political parties from income tax while depositing demonetised notes. “They [the government] need to clarify that demonetisation means it is demonetisation for all. Same rules for everyone,” Banerjee tweeted.
The Trinamool Congress chief also alleged that there is an “ulterior motive” behind this step. “Are they trying to give a hidden message to cadre of one political party? The timing of these statements shows that there may be an ulterior motive,” she added.
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