‘Not a routine operation’: Congress says Tamil Nadu chief ‘restricted’ on pretext of IT ‘search’ ahead of poll rally

New Delhi: Congress on Monday said Tamil Nadu President K Selvaperunthagai was being restrained “unlawfully” income tax departmentaccusing central agencies of preventing him from fulfilling his political duties ahead of schedule Rahul Gandhi‘s campaign is at the polls.In X’s social media post, Congress called the searches a “blatant abuse” of central agencies and claimed bjp Intimidating and obstructing opposition leaders ahead of the vote.“A shocking incident occurred when Rahul Gandhi arrived in Tamil Nadu for campaigning. Tamil Nadu PCC Chairman K Selvaperunthagai ji was illegally restrained in Sriperumbudur by the Income Tax Department on the pretext of ‘search’, preventing him from discharging his political duties,” the party said.“This is not a routine action. This is a blatant misuse of central machinery by the BJP to intimidate and obstruct opposition leaders at a critical moment. Such actions go to the heart of democracy. Suppressing dissent and targeting political opponents through state machinery is unacceptable. India’s democracy cannot be reduced to intimidation and coercion. The people are watching and they will respond,” it added.The Income Tax department is conducting raids at the residences of Congress leaders following complaints that cash intended to be distributed to voters was stashed there.Selvaperunthagai also targeted the BJP and said the action was a clear and well-planned attempt to hamper the functioning of democracy and weaken the activities of the opposition.“When Rahul Gandhi arrived in Tamil Nadu today for an important election campaign, the Income Tax Department along with Hindi-speaking officials illegally confined me to the Sriperumbudur Assembly constituency on the pretext of ‘search’, effectively preventing me from discharging my political duties and engaging with the people. This deliberate action was carried out at a politically sensitive moment,” he said in X’s social media post.“The timing of this intervention betrays its true intent – not enforcement but intimidation. It reflects a disturbing pattern of using central institutions as tools of political pressure to silence dissent, limit political participation and create a climate of fear among opposition leaders and workers,” he added.Opposition leader and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi will campaign in the southern districts of Kanyakumari, Thothukudi and Tirunelveli on Monday, his second visit to Tamil Nadu ahead of the assembly polls.The high-voltage campaign will end at 5pm on April 21, marking the end of public canvassing. Leaders have scheduled final campaign events in key constituencies.