The Congress’ Tamil Nadu unit chief K Selvaperunthagai alleged on Monday that officials from the Income Tax department had “unlawfully confined” him within the Sriperumbudur Assembly constituency under the “pretext of a search”.

Selvaperunthagai further alleged that the search, which coincided with party leader Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Tamil Nadu in the run-up to the Assembly elections, was a “calculated attempt to obstruct democratic functioning and weaken the activities of the opposition”.

The case in connection with which the searches were conducted was not immediately clear. The Income Tax department searched Selvaperunthagai’s home in Sriperumbudur, the constituency he represents in the Assembly, according to PTI.

Voting for the Assembly polls in the state will be held in a single phase on April 23, with results scheduled to be declared on May 4.

The Congress alleged that the department’s action was “not routine”, but was a “blatant misuse of central agencies by the Bharatiya Janata Party to intimidate and obstruct Opposition leaders at a crucial moment”.

The search had prevented the MLA from carrying out his political duties ahead of the polls, the party further alleged.

“Such actions strike at the very heart of democracy,” stated the Congress. “Silencing dissent and targeting political opponents through state machinery is unacceptable.”

On his part, Selvaperunthagai said 10 to 15 Hindi-speaking officials had gathered outside his home on Sunday night, reported ANI. They remained there on Monday morning as well, he added.

The timing of the “intervention exposes its true intent – not enforcement, but intimidation”, said the MLA in a social media post.

“It reflects a disturbing pattern of using central agencies as instruments of political pressure to silence dissent, restrict political participation and create an atmosphere of fear among opposition leaders and workers,” he added.

Describing the action as a “blatant misuse of authority”, he said it is “an attack on the foundational principles of democracy, where free movement, free speech and fair political engagement must be protected”.

“When institutions meant to uphold the law are used to serve political ends, it undermines public trust and erodes the integrity of our democratic system,” added Selvaperunthagai. “I strongly condemn this politically motivated action and reaffirm my commitment to stand firm against such attempts to suppress democratic voices.”

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin also alleged that the searches were a “conspiracy to silence” Selvaperunthagai.

“Forgetting that India is a democratic nation, with just 48 hours left for the election campaign to conclude, the BJP government, united in the fear of defeat, is resorting to atrocities to suppress the opposition,” Stalin wrote on social media. “The people of Tamil Nadu will give a fitting response to this.”

Stalin’s Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam is contesting the Assembly polls in an alliance with the Congress.