The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has hit out at BJP after its MLA Atishi was served a notice by the Income Tax department over her 2020 election affidavit declaration. While she attacked the BJP and the central government for issuing "such hollow threats", the party itself came in support of her. Terming the notice "ridiculous", AAP said it exposes the "sexist and chauvinist" face of the BJP. Atishi claimed the notice was sent to scare her, but "we have come from difficult fields to change politics of this country and we will not get intimidated by these hollow threats of the BJP".
"I want to tell the Modi government - we are not afraid of your threats! The Modi government has used every agency to harass AAP leaders but could not sustain a single case against the AAP. The income tax notice was sent to scare, intimidate us," Atishi said at a press conference.
"I don't have anything to hide. Wherever the Income Tax department calls me, I will go with all the details of my bank accounts. I want to challenge the BJP if they are ready to make their bank accounts and property details public," she said.
AAP spokesperson Saurabh Bhardwaj, who also addressed the media, said the notice was served based on Atishi's election affidavit from 2020 in which she had declared Rs 59 lakh worth moveable assets in the form of FD and mutual funds, which she said were earned before 2012. "This shows the sexist and chauvinist face of BJP. The AAP thinks this move is shameful and we strongly condemn it," he said.
Quoting Bharadwaj, the party tweeted, "MODI GOVT SENDS INCOME TAX NOTICE TO @AtishiAAP! Notice is based on her own declaration from 2020 election affidavit. She had declared 60 lakh worth FD+Mutual Fund. This is ridiculous. She's one of the most educated professional in politics."
"After 8 to 10 years with high quality education she possessed, it is very easy to make enough money that, if kept in a bank for seven-right years, can become Rs 50-60 lakh. The most interesting fact is that all the money in her FDs and mutual funds have been deposited before 2012. AAP's first government was formed in December 2013, and in 2015, Atishi got a chance to work with the Delhi Government wherein she used to work at the salary of Re 1 only," Bhardwaj further added.
(With Agency inputs)
