‘Shocked Congress’: Rajiv Chandrasekhar clarifies asset charges, says Indian group in Kerala is inevitable

NEW DELHI: A day ahead of polls in Kerala, BJP president Rajiv Chandrasekhar on Wednesday dismissed the Congress charge that he failed to disclose assets in his election affidavit, calling the allegation a “pathetic, desperate effort” by the “scared” opposition to divert attention from development. The former union minister also claimed that this is the last time the LDF and Congress will contest separately and they will unite as Bloc India in the next elections in Kerala.In a statement to ANI, Chandrasekhar said, “Making allegations does not prove the truth. It is a simple, sad and desperate effort by the scared Congress and the scared CPM to divert attention from the development. If they have evidence, why don’t they report it to the police and the Election Commission? They will not do that.”Follow comprehensive coverage of the 2026 parliamentary electionsHe also predicted a political realignment in the state, adding, “This is the last election in Kerala and there will be three fronts. From the next elections, there will be only the NDA, while the Congress and the LDF will formally merge into the INDI alliance.”This comes after Congress leader KS Sabarinathan, the UDF candidate for the Inner Mongolia Assembly seat, filed a complaint with the Election Commission alleging that Chandrasekhar failed to disclose assets worth Rs 200 crore.Sabarinathan said: “Serious discrepancies in asset declarations were discovered after the nomination was submitted. We have formally raised this issue with the European Commission during the review and will submit detailed evidence.”Kerala will go to single-phase polls on April 9 and counting of votes is scheduled for May 4. The CPM-led Left Democratic Front is seeking to retain power against the Congress-led United Democratic Front, while the BJP aims to expand its influence in the state after a strong showing in the Thiruvananthapuram civic polls.