Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Union Minister of State for Information Technology and Electronics, issued a legal notice to Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, accusing him of making defamatory comments against the BJP leader during a recent TV appearance.
Chandrasekhar, contesting against Tharoor in the Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha constituency in the upcoming polls on April 26, has accused the Congress MP of spreading "patently false information" regarding bribing of key voters and influential figures, including parish priests, by the BJP leader, according to a report on PTI.
The legal notice contended that Tharoor's statements were aimed at damaging Chandrasekhar's reputation and also disparaged the Christian community of Thiruvananthapuram and its leaders by alleging involvement in cash-for-votes activities.
The legal notice further said that the statements made by the Congress MP also violated the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
Moreover, it alleged that these statements were aimed at sabotaging the BJP leader's election campaign and potentially aiding Tharoor in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
The notice alleged that Tharoor's remarks disrespected not only the entire Christian community of Thiruvananthapuram but also its leaders, by accusing them of involvement in cash-for-votes activities.
The notice to the Congress leader demanded that he retract all allegations made against Chandrashekhar on April 6, issue an unconditional public apology through print and electronic media, and refrain from defaming or harassing the minister in the future, as per the report.
The notice has cautioned that failure to adhere to the specified conditions within 24 hours of receiving the notice would result in the initiation of suitable criminal and civil actions in a competent court of law.
In 2019 Lok Sabha elections, BRS emerged as the major party by securing nine seats.