Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar initiates defamation action against Congress MP Shashi Tharoor

Union Minister of State for Information Technology and Electronics, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, has initiated legal action against Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, over alleged defamation. The action comes days after both leaders expressed readiness to engage in a debate on the topic of regional development in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram.Both the leaders are contesting in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from the Thiruvananthapuram constituency.

The defamation case byChandrasekhar against Tharoor comes at a juncture when a complaint was lodged by the Congress, to authenticate the affidavit submitted by Chandrasekhar as he had reported a taxable income of INR 680 for the fiscal year 2021-2022.

The latest defamation row stemmed from comments made by Tharoor during a recent television appearance. Chandrasekhar has accused Tharoor of spreading falsehoods about bribery in the BJP leader's campaign.

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Chandrasekhar's legal notice

Chandrasekhar's legal notice contended that Tharoor's statements were intended to tarnish his reputation and image and were aimed at disrespecting the Christian community of Thiruvananthapuram by suggesting they are involved in alleged cash-for-votes schemes.

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Moreover, the notice also alleged that Tharoor's remarks violated the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). It said that the comments were made to undermine Chandrasekhar's electoral efforts and turn it to Tharoor's advantage in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

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The notice also demanded that Tharoor retract the allegations immediately. It also sought for an unconditional public apology through print and electronic media.

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The notice said that failure to comply within 24 hours would result in Chandrasekhar pursuing appropriate legal action.

Earlier, Tharoor while welcoming a debate said, "But the people of Thiruvananthapuram are aware of who has been evading a debate till now. Let us debate politics and development."

"Let us debate price hike, unemployment, corruption, communalism, and the BJP's 10 years of propagating politics of hatred. Let us also discuss about the development of Thiruvananthapuram and the visible progress we have made in last 15 years," he had added.

(With inputs from agencies)