New Delhi/IBNS: Congress veteran Sonia Gandhi on Thursday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi accusing him of attempting to "cripple Congress financially".

Sonia said this in a joint press conference with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and top leader Rahul Gandhi.

Speaking at the presser, Sonia said, "A systematic effort is underway by the Prime Minister to cripple the Indian National Congress financially. Funds collected from the public are being frozen, and money from our accounts is being taken away forcibly.

"However, even under these most challenging circumstances, we are doing our very best to maintain the effectiveness of our election campaign."

In the brief, Sonia highlighted how electoral bonds, which have struck down by the Supreme Court, benefitted the country's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is seeking its straight third term.

"On the one hand, there is the 'Electoral Bond' issue, which has been declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. The electoral bonds have benefitted, as everyone knows, the BJP hugely and massively," the former Congress president said and added, "On the other hand, the finances of the principal opposition party, the Indian National Congress, are under determined assault. This, we all believe, is unprecedented and undemocratic!"

Sonia made the statement in the backdrop of her party's last month claim that Rs. 115 crore in its bank was frozen by the Income Tax Department.

The party claimed the amount was frozen following the IT Department demanding Rs. 210 crore as dues and penalty for the fiscal year 2018-2019.

Just at the end of 2023, the Congress politically suffered a massive setback after being wiped out of the Hindi heartland- Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh- which was swept by Modi's BJP.

The beleaguered Congress, which is out of power for two consecutive terms, has stitched a few alliances across the country to throw a challenge to the incumbent.

The Lok Sabha Elections 2024 will be held from April 19 to June 1.