The Congress has hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party, and said that the Prime Minister is making “a systematic effort to cripple Congress financially” today.

Addressing a special briefing, senior Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge said that the issue of freezing of Congress’ bank accounts is extremely serious, and affects not just their party but our democracy. “This is not just about the freezing of our bank accounts, it's about the freezing of Indian democracy,” said Rahul Gandhi.

Congress appealed to constitutional bodies to allow them to access bank accounts if they want free and fair polls. Addressing special briefing, senior Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge said, “Holding fair polls is essential, and there should be level playing field. Those in power should not have monopoly over resources.”

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge says, "Supreme Court called Electoral Bonds illegal and unconstitutional. Under that scheme, the present ruling party filled its accounts with thousands and crores of Rupees. On the other hand, under a conspiracy, the bank account of the main opposition party has been frozen. So that, in the absence of funds there is no level-playing field in contesting the elections. This is a dangerous game by the ruling party which will have a far-reaching impact. If democracy in this country has to be saved, there has to be a level-playing ground."

"I don't want to mention how the BJP took money from some companies. As SC is probing the matter, I hope the truth will be before us soon. I appeal to the Constitutional institutions that if they want free and fair elections, then they should allow us to freely access our bank accounts. No political party comes under the purview of income tax," he said.