Tharoor, Chandrasekhar squabble over debate

BJP candidate meets with Trivandrum Chamber individually on Monday, which irks Congress’ incumbent MP. The Chamber had recently invited all 3 candidates for debate

As electioneering intensifies in Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha constituency as it approaches the elections, Shashi Tharoor and Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the candidates representing United Democratic Front (UDF) and National Democratic Alliance (NDA) respectively, have been warming to the possibility of a debate on the progress of the constituency.

Mr. Chandrasekhar initially proposed the idea some days ago, challenging his Congress rival to a debate on ideas, development and the performance track record of either candidates.

The challenge was “welcomed” by Mr. Tharoor, but he took a swipe at the BJP leader saying that “the people of Thiruvananthapuram are aware of who has been evading a debate till now”.

He took to X on Sunday to post: “Let us debate price hike, unemployment, corruption, communalism, and the BJP’s 10 years of propagating politics of hatred. Let us also discuss the development of Thiruvananthapuram and the visible progress we have made in the last 15 years.”

Mr. Chandrasekhar, however, appeared to renege on his offer for a debate after having taken offence to the “cashforvotes” allegations levelled at him by Mr. Tharoor. The Congress leader had recently accused him of offering monetary benefits to community leaders and others. Mr. Chandrasekhar has threatened legal action for allegedly slandering him.

In a response to Mr. Tharoor’s call for a debate, the NDA candidate said he would agree to a dialogue only if the threetime MP names those who claim to have received money from him. The squabble over the debate showed no signs of lessening with Mr. Tharoor aiming another sly jab at Mr. Chandrasekhar. In a post on X on Monday, he said: “The Trivandrum Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI) invited all three candidates for debate. The other two declined and said they would prefer to meet TCCI individually. BJP candidate has done so today and I will follow suit. So much for debating!”

Tiff resumes on Monday with Tharoor aiming another jab at Chandrasekhar on X

Complaint

Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) has petitioned the Election Commission against Mr. Chandrasekhar for his alleged use of his letterhead as a Union Minister of State while the model code of conduct is in force.The Congress cited the instance of a complaint submitted by Mr. Chandrasekhar against the party to the Election Commission.