Amidst allegations over asset concealment ECI accepts BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar’s nomination
Thiruvananthapuram: The Election Commission on Tuesday reportedly accepted the nomination of BJP state president and NDA candidate from Nemom, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, despite allegations by the Congress that he concealed assets in his election affidavit, The New Indian Express reported.
According to the report, Chandrasekhar’s nomination had initially been set aside following a complaint from the Congress, but it was later accepted during scrutiny by the Election Commission.
The Congress on Monday alleged that Chandrasekhar did not disclose a 49,000 sq ft mansion located in Koramangala, Bengaluru.
According to the party, the property spans around one and a half acres in one of the country’s most expensive localities and is estimated to be worth nearly Rs 200 crore, based on prevailing land rates of Rs 35,000 to Rs 50,000 per sq ft.
The party also noted that property tax for the land was paid on March 17 and shared a link on social media platform X, stating that the details could be verified by the public.
Dear @Ceokerala,
— Congress Kerala (@INCKerala) March 23, 2026
BJP candidate from Nemom constituency, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, has not disclosed his residence, a 49,000 sq.ft mansion in Koramangala 3rd Block, Bengaluru, in his affidavit.
This is a 1.07 acre property in one of the most expensive locations in the country, where… pic.twitter.com/pyyzD5Sft7
It also shared photos to support the claim.
Despite these allegations, the Election Commission accepted Chandrasekhar’s nomination on Tuesday.
Reacting to the decision, UDF candidate and complainant K Sabarinathan said that the Returning Officer, “being a quasi judicial authority, does not have the mandate to act on such matters.”
He added that the issue would be pursued through legal channels.
The Congress claimed that the same property had been declared in Chandrasekhar’s 2024 affidavit and that its omission this time “allegedly amounts to an attempt to mislead the Election Commission.” The party has demanded a probe and appropriate action.
Meanwhile, LDF candidate in Nemom, V Sivankutty, noted in a Facebook post that the party intends to pursue legal action, including an election petition, stating, “the alleged concealment of assets worth crores by the BJP’s Nemom candidate is a serious betrayal of voters. Despite tax records confirming ownership of a luxury Bengaluru residence, it was omitted from the affidavit, pointing to a deliberate attempt to mislead. The same property was declared in the previous Lok Sabha election, making this omission suspicious and unlawful.”
According to the affidavit submitted along with his nomination papers, Chandrasekhar declared total assets worth Rs 93.88 crore.
These include a 9,600 sq ft house in Koramangala valued at Rs 15.07 crore, jewellery worth Rs 3.58 crore including 369.12 grams of gold and diamonds, and a 1942 model motorcycle valued at Rs 10,000.
His financial assets include Rs 35.83 crore invested in shares, debentures, and bonds, Rs 4.37 crore in bank fixed deposits, and Rs 34.96 crore given as loans through institutions. He reported having Rs 64,100 in cash and an annual income of Rs 92.91 lakh in his latest income tax return.
Chandrasekhar’s wife, Anju, has an annual income of Rs 60.50 lakh and total assets worth Rs 18.10 crore, including jewellery valued at Rs 9.08 crore. She also has Rs 3.40 lakh in cash. The affidavit lists liabilities of Rs 107.39 crore for Chandrasekhar and Rs 1.62 crore for his wife.
In addition to the asset-related allegations, a criminal case has been registered against Chandrasekhar in Ernakulam in connection with his social media response following the Kalamassery blast incident.
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party accused the Congress of “spreading fake news.”
❌ Fearing electoral defeat, Congress cyber groups are continuously spreading fake news against BJP State President Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar.
— BJP KERALAM (@BJP4Keralam) March 24, 2026
❌ The claim being circulated by Congress cyber handles that he owns a residence in Koramangala and concealed this information in his… pic.twitter.com/tjAIYIGGHk
However, in a subsequent post, the Congress stated, “If our claim is fabricated, then the property tax receipt we shared must be fake.”
The party also provided a link to the Greater Bengaluru Authority’s property tax receipt portal and asked the BJP to verify it themselves.
It further added, “If your defence is that this ‘Rajeev Chandrasekhar’ is not the same as your leader @RajeevRC_X, then kindly refer to his own 2024 affidavit. He has explicitly stated that he resides at House No. 408, while simultaneously declaring that he does not own any residential property. So which is it? Is he living in a ₹50,000 sq.ft. mansion owned by someone else with the exact same name, or is this a clear case of a false affidavit?”
Dear @BJP4Keralam,
— Congress Kerala (@INCKerala) March 24, 2026
If our claim is fabricated, then the property tax receipt we shared must be fake.
Please use application number 1600322463 at the link below and download it yourself. It clearly shows that Rajeev Chandrasekhar has paid around ₹5 lakh as property tax for… https://t.co/2Z6N4GJfX7 pic.twitter.com/trAykffSMW
In another post, the Congress said, “we are sharing further details of Rajeev Chandrasekhar's properties. These are two of his properties which are clubbed into one as #408, which together cover 47,446 sq.ft. What is declared as #419 is just his car shed. If you insist @BJP4Keralam, we can show the visuals of his car shed. Do you want that? Let us know.”
We are sharing further details of Rajeev Chandrasekhar's properties. These are two of his properties which are clubbed into one as #408, which is together 47,446 sq.ft.
— Congress Kerala (@INCKerala) March 24, 2026
What is declared his #419, which is just his car shed. If you insist @BJP4Keralam, we can show the visuals of… pic.twitter.com/vFByDUHrw9
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Himachal: Three killed, two injured as speeding car dashes against parked truck
Mandi (HP) (PTI): Three people were killed and two others sustained grievous injuries after a speeding car dashed against a stationary truck at Dadour near Nerchowk in Mandi district on Monday late at night, police said on Tuesday.
There were five people in the car when the tragedy struck. Three were declared dead in the hospital while two have been referred to AIIMS Bilaspur.
The deceased were identified as Anil Kumar (28), Rohit Kumar (26) and Subash Kumar (23), all residents of Mandi district, while the injured are Harish and Pankaj.
A case has been registered under relevant sections and investigations are underway, said Superintendent of Police (SP) Mandi Vinod Kumar.
He added that the bodies have been handed over to the family members of the deceased.
In a statement, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed grief over the loss of three lives in a road accident. He directed the district administration to ensure best possible treatment for the injured and wished them a speedy recovery.
