EC cautions Shashi Tharoor against making ‘unverified’ accusations towards Oppn candidate

In Thiruvananthapuram, the election official has warned Congress MP Shashi Tharoor against making unverified allegations during the campaign against opponent Rajeev Chandrasekhar. The warning comes after complaints of unsubstantiated accusations made by Tharoor in a TV interview. Tharoor accused Chandrasekhar of offering money to voters and religious leaders for votes.

The Nodal Officer issued a warning to Tharoor after complaints were filed by J.R. Padmakumar, Election Legal Convenor, BJP and V.V. Rajesh, NDA Convenor. Tharoor was cautioned not to make unverified allegations in contravention to the Model Code of Conduct. The media channel was directed not to broadcast the disputed part of the interview till the MCC is in force.

Kerala is set to hold elections on April 26 to elect 20 Lok Sabha candidates, with the Thiruvananthapuram constituency being a focal point of intense competition. Tharoor, Chandrasekhar, and CPI candidate Panniyan Ravindran will engage in a fierce poll battle. The warning to Tharoor aims to maintain the integrity of the election process and uphold the norms of fair campaigning.

It is crucial for political leaders to adhere to the guidelines set by the Election Commission to ensure a free and fair electoral process. Allegations and statements made during the campaign should be backed by evidence to prevent the spread of misinformation and defamation. The focus should remain on addressing issues and presenting constructive policies to the voters, rather than engaging in mud-slinging tactics.