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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Aditya Birla Group-led consortium acquires RCB for USD 1.78 billion
Bengaluru (PTI): A consortium led by the Aditya Birla Group (ABG) on Tuesday acquired 100 percent equity stake in IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru for a whopping USD 1.78 billion (approximately Rs 16,706 crore) from its current owner the United Spirits Limited.
Other parties involved in the group are -- Blackstone’s perpetual private equity strategy, BXPE, a firm of which Viral Patel is the CEO, Bolt Ventures, owned by American investor David Blitzer, and media conglomerate Times of India.
“United Spirits Limited, pursuant to the meeting of its Board of Directors, today announced that it has entered into definitive agreements for the sale of the 100 percent equity stake held in its wholly owned subsidiary Royal Challengers Sports Private Limited (RCSPL) to a consortium,” the USL said in a statement.
“The consortium comprises Aditya Birla Group (ABG), The Times of India Group (Times), Bolt Ventures (Bolt), and Blackstone’s perpetual private equity strategy, BXPE (Blackstone) for a total consideration of INR 166.6 bn in an all cash transaction,” the statement added.
The transaction includes RCB's men’s and women’s (WPL) teams.
“RCSPL owns and operates Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchises that participate in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Women’s Premier League (WPL).
“Upon completion of this transaction, the consortium will, through its ownership of RCSPL, acquire the rights to own and operate the IPL and WPL franchise,” said the USL.
The announcement also concluded the strategic review of RCSPL that was initiated by USL on November 5, 2025.
The United Spirits Limited is a subsidiary of UK-Diageo, and they were keen to move away from RCB as the team was not central to their business plans.
Commenting on the transaction, Praveen Someshwar, MD & CEO, USL, said: “This transaction marks an important milestone for USL as we sharpen focus on our core beverage alcohol business to unlock its true potential. RCB has grown into the most prominent and commercially successful franchise in the IPL and WPL.
“We are excited for the future of RCB under the stewardship of the new owner. As Sports enters a new phase of growth in India & globally, we believe this is in the best interest of the franchise and our stakeholders.”
Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman, Aditya Birla Group, said, “Over the past 2 decades, the IPL has morphed to become a global sporting powerhouse that has changed the face of Indian cricket creating enormous value for India.
“RCB, as one of the most compelling franchises in modern sport, offers the Aditya Birla Group a distinctive platform to extend its legacy of institution-building into the arena of global sport.”
As per the sale agreement, Aryaman Vikram Birla, ABG’s director, will be the chairman of RCB while Satyan Gajwani of Times of India will be his deputy.
Aryaman Birla, said: “It is a privilege to come together in this partnership to shape the next phase of growth for RCB. This partnership brings together a deep understanding of sports, media and consumer businesses.
“Together, we will continue to Play Bold -- on the pitch, in the community, and for the fans who make RCB what it is.”
Gajwani, Chairman, Times Internet Limited, said: “RCB is the reigning champion and the most popular brand in the IPL. We will build RCB into a global sporting institution, while remaining rooted in Bengaluru and Karnataka and its incredible fanbase.”
Blitzer hoped to build on RCB’s recent success.
“RCB has a world-class fanbase, and the IPL is one of the great growth stories in global sport. Having invested in clubs and leagues around the world, I believe the opportunity at RCB stands out.
We look forward to working alongside our partners and the BCCI to build on the franchise’s championship success,” he said.
Patel praised the RCB as one of the strongest sporting brands in the world.
“We are excited to invest in RCB, building on Blackstone’s long-standing commitment to India. RCB stands out as one of the most popular sports franchises in the world with a powerful brand, a loyal fan base, and multiple avenues for growth,” he added.
However, formalities such as ratification from the BCCI, IPL Governing Council, its WPL counterpart and the Competition Commission of India are still pending.
Earlier, IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals was acquired by US-based Kal Somani-led consortium for USD 1.63 billion (approx Rs 15,290 crore),
The Somani-led consortium includes Rob Walton from the Walmart family and Hamp family (Ford motor company).
Somani is an Arizona-based tech entrepreneur who has founded IntraEdge (technology services and solutions), Truyo.Ai (data privacy rights and AI governance) and Academian (edtech services).
The other contenders to buy the team, which won the inaugural trophy in 2008, were the Times Internet-led consortium, the Aditya Birla Group and the Mittal family led by ArcelorMittal CEO Aditya Mittal.
