Row over Kerala BJP chief's affidavit; Chandrasekhar challenges Cong to move court
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): With days left for the crucial Assembly polls, a political row has erupted in Kerala over BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar's affidavit, with the Congress alleging that he had concealed details of a high-value property in Bengaluru and lodging a complaint with the Election Commission.
Rejecting the allegations, Chandrasekhar asserted that the allegations regarding concealment of his house details were baseless and challenged the Congress to approach the court if it had "the spine" to prove its claims.
In the April 9 polls, Chandrasekhar is contesting from high profile Nemom constituency against CPI(M) leader and general education minister V Sivankutty and former Congress MLA K S Sabarinathan.
While talking to reporters here, Sabarinathan said the allegations against Chandrasekhar's affidavit were serious.
"As per the allegations, he has not disclosed his Rs 200 crore-worth property in the affidavit. We have studied about it, and we will raise this during the scrutiny," he told reporters here.
He said the Congress has already lodged a complaint and expected that the Election Commission would take appropriate action.
However, CPI(M) candidate Sivankutty did not show much keenness to reiterate the Congress charge against Chandrasekhar.
"There are rumours that he has not disclosed even 25 per cent of his actual assets in the affidavit. But when we raise the issue before the returning officer, we should have supporting documents. The Congress may have that," he said.
He also said the Left party does not want to have his nomination rejected over a technicality but wants the contest to be held.
Chandrasekhar, however, hit back and accused the Congress of resorting to falsehoods to fight elections. He also launched a sharp attack on the Congress leadership, referring to past controversies and criticising senior leaders.
The BJP leader further alleged that state minister Sivankutty had been repeatedly making personal attacks against him.
"This is not a new allegation. During the time of every election, they come up with such allegations," he said, adding that people don't want controversies but want development.
The Kerala Assembly, for which elections are to be held on April 9, has 140 seats.
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Iran war halts Marathwada turmeric exports, prices drop in domestic market
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (PTI): The ongoing conflict between the US, Israel and Iran has halted turmeric exports from Maharashtra’s Marathwada region, causing domestic prices to crash from Rs 16,500 to Rs 13,000 per quintal.
Shiv Sena MLC Hemant Patil on Tuesday said that turmeric cultivated in Marathwada is exported to the Gulf and African countries, but the war that broke out last month has halted exports completely.
Turmeric is a cash crop cultivated in nearly 2 lakh acres in Hingoli district, and the Vasmat variety received a Geographical Identification (GI) tag in 2024.
Containers of turmeric from Hingoli and adjoining regions are shipped out of the country from Tamil Nadu and Kerala after processing, said Patil, who also heads the Balasaheb Thackeray Turmeric Research and Training Centre in Hingoli.
"Hingoli, Nanded, Wardha, Parbhani, Yavatmal and Washim are the turmeric belts in Marathwada. These districts produce nearly 25 lakh tonnes of the crop. The land under turmeric cultivation in Hingoli district alone is around 2 lakh hectares," he said.
Prakash Soni, a turmeric trader from Hingoli, said the Iran war has not only completely halted the exports, but the price of the produce in the domestic market has also taken a hit.
"Before the war, turmeric was being sold at Rs 16,500 per quintal. The price has now reached Rs 13,000. The price will drop further if the war continues," he said.
According to data from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, India exported turmeric worth USD 341.54 million in 2024-25, with Maharashtra alone accounting for USD 155.35 million.
The produce was exported to Bangladesh, the UAE, the US, Malaysia and Morocco.
