Ahead of Bharat Jodo Yatra, IT raids on unrecognised political parties including Ashok Gehlot's close aide

New Delhi: Ahead of Congress' Bharat Jodo Yatra, Income tax department is conducting raids at 53 locations across the country including Rajasthan minister and Ashok Gehlot's close aide Rajendra Yadav.

Yadav has many businesses related to education, mills, and the food industry. He has a strong hold on Rajasthan Congress and oversees the funding-related needs of the party.

The raids on Yadav's locations are in connection with Mid-Day meal scam.

The IT team conducted raids at Yadav Foods Flour Mill and his house at Awas Vikas at around 8.30 am at Kichha in Udhamsinghnagar district, in Uttarakhand.

Simultaneous IT Raids in multiple states are part of a tax evasion probe against registered unrecognised political parties (RUPP) and their alleged dubious funding, official sources said.

The searches are being conducted in Gujarat, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Haryana and some other states, they said.

Income Tax raids are also in action at the house of Samajwadi Krantikari Party National President Gopal Rai in UP.

In Chhattisgarh, the Income Tax Department has raided the premises of many businessmen. IT raid continues at the house of liquor baron Amolak Singh Bhatia in Raipur.

A coordinated action has been launched by the tax department against the RUPPs, their linked entities, hawala operators and others, the sources said.