## BJP Candidate Rajeev Chandrasekhar Sends Legal Notice to Shashi Tharoor for Defamation
Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate for Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, has sent a legal notice for defamation to his Congress counterpart, Shashi Tharoor.
The notice accuses Tharoor of spreading false propaganda and information among the city's constituents. Chandrasekhar claims that Tharoor made defamatory statements in an interview on a Malayalam news channel, "24 News," alleging that Chandrasekhar bribed voters and influential figures, including parish priests, to win the upcoming polls.
"Our Client was shocked and surprised to watch the news video dated 06.04.2024 on a Malayalam news channel named '24 News', wherein you, the Noticee, made defamatory statements alleging that Our Client had indulged in illegal activities of offering money to voters, and that Our Client is spreading lies in Christian communities," the legal notice reads. "Not only are the said statements totally and completely false but it is clear that the same was made with the clear mala fide intent to tarnish the reputation of Our Client in order to try and gain an unfair advantage in the upcoming elections."
The notice demands that Tharoor withdraw all allegations made on the news channel and tender an unconditional public apology to Chandrasekhar, to his satisfaction, through print and electronic media.
This legal action comes shortly after Tharoor violated Rule I(2) of the Model Code of Conduct, which prohibits political candidates from making criticisms based on "unverified allegations or distortion." There is no evidence to support Tharoor's claims that Chandrasekhar sent money to influential voters in the constituency without revealing their identities.
The legal notice further states that Tharoor's actions are an attempt to influence voters and subvert the process of free and fair elections. It expresses concern that Tharoor's false statements are being circulated by his supporters and party members through social media and messaging apps.