The BJP on Tuesday lashed out at Congress President Rahul Gandhi, urging him to disclose why he contested the assessment of Income-Tax authorities in court.

At press meet here, Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani said Rahul prefers to run away from IT officials.

National Herald case

She was referring to a Delhi High Court order that dismissed the pleas filed by Rahul and his mother and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi against a lower court decision to reopen their tax assessments in connection with a case related to the National Herald newspaper.

“Why is it that Mr Rahul Gandhi, who is too quick to hug the Prime Minister, would run a mile when it comes to an Income-Tax officer?” Irani asked.

She said the Gandhi family bought loans worth ₹90 crore from Associated Journals, which has properties across the country, for ₹50 lakh.

“After buying the loans, the Gandhi family became the owners of a company which has thousands of crores worth assets. When the Income-Tax Department assessed this company, the family went to the court challenging the assessment,” she said. She added that the appeal reveals deep-seated corruption in the “hallowed halls” of the Congress.

The company is supposed to work as a non-profit organisation, but Rahul used a commercial venture, Young India Publications, to buy Associated Journals,” Irani further said.

The Congress hit back at Irani, saying she is practising her public speaking skills as the elections are round the corner. The party’s media in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala said such accusations are a result of the BJP’s desperation. “The Modi government is scared of a direct fight. They are using IT officials as their guards. The elections to four State Assemblies are not far off. They are going to face a very bad defeat. Such baseless accusations are a result of it,” he added.

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