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<b>Letters:</b> The cat is out of the bag

Political parties will not have to pay tax on the cash they deposit

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T R Ramaswami Mumbai
Last Updated : Dec 18 2016 | 10:37 PM IST
At last the suspense has been dispelled and, as expected, the announcement has come: Political parties will not have to pay tax on the cash they deposit. So the Golden Rule has been established — those who have the gold make the rules.
 
For this reason alone, the people need to teach the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Prime Minister a lesson in the Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Punjab Assembly polls, as also in the 2019 general elections. This ruse allows politicians to mix even their individual funds with that of the party for future adjustments.
 
Now, the second secret: Why is there a shortage of currency? Because a substantial quantity has been reserved for distribution to political parties. I am pretty sure there will be plenty of Rs 500 notes for them. That is why ordinary citizens are not getting the notes.
 
All this talk that income tax officers will examine the books to verify the accounts is hogwash. Which one of them has ever had the courage to take on political parties? In fact, they may be partying together. No wonder political outfits are called parties: They are having a ball at our expense. And the Prime Minister has no credibility or integrity left.

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First Published: Dec 18 2016 | 10:32 PM IST

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