Is Rajeev Chandrasekhar a billionaire? Complaint filed with EC for 'false affidavit'

A complaint was filed against BJP's Thiruvananthapuram candidate Rajeev Chandrasekhar, claiming that the union minister allegedly submitted a false affidavit in his Lok Sabha election nomination papers.

The BJP minister had declared assets worth Rs 28 crore. But the complaint alleges that Chandrasekhar's net worth is around Rs 8,000 crore, indicating that he is a billionaire.

The matter was raised to the Election Commission by a voter from Bengaluru, where Chandrasekhar represented in Rajya Sabha.

“I am voter in BTM Layout Assembly Constituency, Bengaluru, Karnataka where Rajeev was contesting for Rajya Sabha. I have filed multiple petitions in Delhi High Court and Supreme Court with Election Commission with regard to the false affidavit filed by Mr. Rajeev Chandrasekhar in 2018 Rajya Sabha Elections. However, the petition is still stuck with Election Commission despite multiple follow ups (sic),” complainant Renjith Thomas wrote.

“Upon careful examination of Mr. Rajeev Chandrasekhar's affidavit submitted for the election nominations, it has become apparent that numerous discrepancies exist between the declared assets and his actual wealth. I possess documentary evidence...,” the complainant added sharing details, and accusing him of being “habitual offender”

Chandrasekhar, who is fighting against Congress Working Committee (CWC) member and sitting MP Shashi Tharoor, and CPI veteran Pannian Raveendran in the April 26 polls, submitted his nomination papers before the returning officer on Thursday.

As per the affidavit filed along with the nomination paper, the total value of his movable assets stands at Rs 13,69,18,637, while his spouse possesses assets valued at Rs 12,47,00,408.
These include cash in hand, details of deposits in banks, non-banking financial companies, and cooperative societies, as well as investments in bonds, debentures, shares, units in companies/mutual funds, and other financial instruments.

His movable assets also comprise a 1942 model Red Indian Scout, registered in Karnataka and purchased in 1994 for Rs 10,000, along with jewellery, bullion, and other valuable items valued at over Rs 3.25 crore.

The BJP leader’s immovable assets include self-acquired property purchased at a price of Rs 5,26,42,640, with an approximate current market value of Rs 14,40,00,000.

He has liabilities of Rs 19,41,92,894 that are under dispute, while his spouse’s liabilities under the same category amount to Rs 1,63,43,972. These include loans from banks, financial institutions, and others.

Chandrasekhar’s total income shown in the 2022-23 Income Tax return is Rs 5,59,200, while it was Rs 680 for the year 2021-22.

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