The BJP on Thursday accused the Congress of looking for an alibi fearing a “historic defeat” and termed as baseless the charges of financially crippling the principal Opposition party.

“The Congress is going to be totally rejected by the people and fearing a historic defeat, their top leadership addressed a press conference and ranted against Indian democracy and institutions,” BJP chief J.P. Nadda posted on X.

At a media address, BJP spokesperson and former law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad mocked Rahul for being “ignorant” about tax rules and claimed that the action on the Congress was the result of its failure to file income tax returns and that the ruling party had no role in it.

“It is true that under Income Tax Section 13 (a), political parties do not have to pay income tax. But they have to file their returns each year and if you do not file, then you lose the exemption,” Prasad claimed.

“The Congress did not file returns for the assessment year 2018-19. The rules provide for collection and recovery. This is a routine tax process. What has the BJP got to do with it?” he added. He accused Rahul of lying and claimed the Congress’s appeal before the income tax department and the high court had been rejected and their case was pending before the Supreme Court.

Prasad said the Congress leadership was levelling baseless allegations on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the government out of “utter desperation in view of their imminent defeat” in the elections.

BJP president Nadda said: “For a party which has looted from every sector, in every state and at every moment of history, to talk of financial helplessness is comical.”