NEW DELHI: Congress on Monday said that its Tamil Nadu president K Selvaperunthagai was “unlawfully” confined by the Income Tax department, accusing the central agency of preventing him from carrying out his political duties ahead of Rahul Gandhi’s campaign in the poll-bound state.In a social media post on X, Congress termed the searches a “blatant misuse” of central agencies, claiming that the Bharatiya Janata Party is intimidating and obstructing opposition leaders ahead of polling.“As LoP Rahul Gandhi arrives in Tamil Nadu to campaign, a shocking incident has unfolded. K Selvaperunthagai ji, president of the Tamil Nadu PCC, was unlawfully confined in Sriperumbudur by the Income Tax Department under the pretext of a ‘search,’ preventing him from carrying out his political duties,” the party said.“This is not routine action. This is a blatant misuse of central agencies by the BJP to intimidate and obstruct Opposition leaders at a crucial moment. Such actions strike at the very heart of democracy. Silencing 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 a raid at the residence of the Congress leader following complaints alleging that cash intended for distribution to voters had been stashed there.Selvaperunthagai also targeted the BJP and said the action is a clear and calculated attempt to obstruct democratic functioning and weaken the activities of the Opposition.“As Rahul Gandhi ji arrives in Tamil Nadu today to undertake a crucial election campaign, the Income Tax Department, with Hindi-speaking officials, under the pretext of a ‘search’, unlawfully confined me within the Sriperumbudur Assembly constituency, effectively preventing me from discharging my political duties and engaging with the people. This deliberate action, carried out at a politically sensitive moment,” he said in a social media post on X.“The timing of this intervention exposes its true intent — not enforcement, but intimidation. 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.Leader of Opposition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi will campaign in the southern districts of Kanniyakumari, Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli on Monday, marking his second visit to Tamil Nadu ahead of the assembly polls.The high-voltage campaign is set to conclude at 5 pm on April 21, marking the end of public canvassing. Leaders have lined up their final campaign events across key constituencies.