Kerala polls: Rajeev dares opponents after nomination upheld

T'puram: The returning officer of Nemom refused the Congress party's demand to reject the nomination of BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who is contesting assembly polls from the constituency. UDF candidate K S Sabarinadhan and the Congress wanted the election commission to reject Chandrasekhar's nomination on the ground that he allegedly concealed details about a Rs 200-cr property in his name at Koramangala in Bengaluru.

Congress said that Chandrasekhar did not disclose the details of a 49,000 sq ft mansion located on a 1.07-acre plot in Koramangala. Congress and CPM functionaries said the land value of this property would exceed Rs 200 cr, considering the rates prevailing in the area.

BJP argued that the returning officer was not competent to decide on matters related to the declaration of assets. Complaints about asset declaration can be challenged in court after elections, said BJP's counsel. Since Form-26 contained no errors, complaints challenging the veracity of asset declaration can only be addressed in court and it cannot be a reason to reject nomination, said BJP. Election authorities accepted this argument.

Responding to Congress allegations, Chandrasekhar dared his political opponents to approach the court. He said Congress and CPM were raising controversies out of fear of defeat. He said they were attempting to stoke controversies because they had no answers to the people's question: What did you do when we gave you an opportunity.

"Both parties are afraid of losing. The people have already understood their deceit and so they are trying to divert attention from it. That's why they are resorting to allegations against me to stoke a controversy," he said during a media interaction.

"They are diverting attention from real issues by talking about my house, my income, my vehicle, my Malayalam and my attire. If they have any evidence to prove their claim, they can approach EC or the court. In public life, I have no blackmark," he said.


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