Imphal, Manipur, March 22 (HBTV): Former chief minister of Manipur Okram Ibobi Singh on Friday urged the people to choose the right party during the forthcoming Lok Sabha election if they want to live freely in a democratic country.               

“There’s a fear and apprehension in the public that the country is slowly turning towards a nation ruled by a dictator,” the veteran Congress leader said.  Even the media, which is considered to be the Fourth Pillar of Democracy, is not able to freely give their opinion, whether it’s a simple observation, constructive suggestion, or comments in this country, the Congress leader said.                

Ibobi was adding to the statements of resentment of Congress leaders that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government was stifling democracy and ‘crippling’ the Congress by freezing its bank accounts in a tax dispute ahead of the general elections.                   

Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee chief Keisham Meghachandra also broached the issue. He stated that the ruling party wants only the saffron party to engage in election activities.       

According to Section 13 (a) of the Income Tax Act, Meghachandra said, many people and well-wishers donated money into the accounts of the political parties; the funds are being utilized for political activities including by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress. Moreover, there is tax exemption to this.             

According to section 234 F of the same Act, the Congress leader said, if a party or person does not file ITR forms or if there is any irregularity in accounting and balanced sheets within the prescribed time limit, late fees or taxable and chargeable amount were to be given at INR 10,000 in a year.                   

But in the present case against the Congress, the late fee was to the tune of INR 210 crore, which is 'unimaginable,' Meghachandra said. The Congress chief said it means that the ruling BJP government does not want the Congress to participate in the election. The Congress leader wondered how the party would be able to conduct an election if the government had frozen its accounts.