Congress party officials have accused the Income Tax Department of unlawfully detaining K Selvaperunthagai, the party’s Tamil Nadu president, as he was prevented from fulfilling his political responsibilities ahead of a scheduled campaign by Rahul Gandhi in the state.
In a post on social media platform X, Congress labeled the raids conducted by the Income Tax Department as a “blatant misuse” of central agencies, asserting that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is attempting to intimidate opposition leaders as elections near.
“As the Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi arrives in Tamil Nadu to campaign, a troubling incident has occurred. K Selvaperunthagai ji, president of the Tamil Nadu PCC, was unlawfully confined in Sriperumbudur by the Income Tax Department under the guise of a ‘search,’ obstructing him from carrying out his political duties,” the party stated.
“This action is not routine; it represents a blatant misuse of central agencies by the BJP aimed at intimidating and obstructing opposition leaders at a critical juncture. Such acts undermine the very foundation of democracy. Silencing dissent and targeting political opponents using the state apparatus is unacceptable. India’s democracy cannot be characterized by coercion and intimidation. The public is observing, and they will react,” the statement continued.
The Income Tax Department is reportedly conducting a raid at Selvaperunthagai’s residence in connection with allegations that cash intended for voter distribution was stored there.
Selvaperunthagai criticized the BJP, stating that the action is a calculated effort to undermine democratic processes and hinder opposition activities. “As Rahul Gandhi ji arrives in Tamil Nadu today for an important election campaign, the Income Tax Department, staffed with Hindi-speaking officials, unlawfully confined me in the Sriperumbudur Assembly constituency, effectively hindering my political duties and engagement with the public. This deliberate action occurs at a sensitive political time,” he wrote on social media.
He further noted, “The timing of this intervention reveals its true objective — intimidation rather than enforcement. It highlights a troubling trend of employing central agencies to exert political pressure, silence dissent, restrict political engagement, and instill fear among opposition leaders and activists.”
Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to campaign in the southern districts of Kanniyakumari, Thoothukudi, and Tirunelveli on Monday, marking his second visit to Tamil Nadu in advance of the assembly elections. The campaign is set to conclude by 5 PM on April 21, signifying the end of public canvassing, with leaders organizing their final events in key constituencies.
