The Election Commission (EC) has launched an investigation into the claims of mismatched financial details in the poll affidavit of Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Rajeev Chandrasekhar, filed for the Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha constituency. Following complaints by the Congress party regarding alleged discrepancies in Chandrasekhar’s income declaration, the EC has directed the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) to conduct a thorough verification process.
According to the Congress complaint, Chandrasekhar declared a taxable income of merely ₹680 for the fiscal year 2021-2022, raising suspicions about the accuracy of the information provided in his affidavit. The party has pointed out significant differences in the values of assets, investments, and income declared by Chandrasekhar, which they claim violates electoral laws.
Theres some queries I hv recd tdy abt response of @ECISVEEP to this “complaint” by the Cong.
Scrutiny by ECI or CBDT is a good way to blow a hole in #CongPoliticsOfLies 👍🏻
As I said before when Cong tried this few years ago, my disclosures and returns are all legally vetted and… https://t.co/GHikqpUCCK
— Rajeev Chandrasekhar 🇮🇳(Modiyude Kutumbam) (@Rajeev_GoI) April 9, 2024
The scrutiny of Chandrasekhar’s affidavit has intensified as the election date approaches, with the Congress urging the EC to order a reassessment of the document filed by the BJP candidate on April 4. This is not the first time concerns have been raised regarding Chandrasekhar’s financial disclosures. In September 2022, a similar complaint was forwarded to the CBDT by the EC, although no conclusive action was reported by the Congress.
In response to the allegations, Chandrasekhar has remained unavailable for comment, adding fuel to the ongoing controversy surrounding his financial declarations. Meanwhile, the EC has clarified its role, stating that the returning officer (RO) is responsible for the procedural aspects of affidavit submission, including its verification and publication on the EC’s website. However, any substantial discrepancies discovered post-filing can only be addressed through legal petitions after the elections.
Congress puts allegation on Rajeev Chandrasekhar
The investigation into Chandrasekhar’s affidavit underscores the significance of transparency and accuracy in electoral processes. With the Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha constituency poised for a closely watched electoral battle, the outcome of this probe could have significant implications for the credibility of candidates and the electoral process itself. As the EC awaits the findings of the CBDT’s verification, the integrity of candidate disclosures remains a focal point in ensuring free and fair elections.
