In a dramatic escalation of political tensions in Kerala, both the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the opposition Congress have launched a coordinated attack on state BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, accusing him of involvement in a massive land scam in Karnataka. The controversy centers around allegations that members of Chandrasekhar’s family illegally acquired approximately 150 acres of land in Dabaspet, near Nelamangala on the outskirts of Bengaluru, valued at ₹500 crore.
According to a complaint filed by Advocate K. N. Jagadish, the land in question was originally allotted in 1996 to BPL India Ltd, a company reportedly linked to Chandrasekhar’s family. The Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) had designated the land for industrial development. The complaint alleges that the land was subsequently misappropriated through fraudulent means involving family members, including Chandrasekhar’s wife and father-in-law.
Reacting to the allegations, CPI(M) state secretary M. V. Govindan demanded a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the matter, citing the seriousness of the charges and the need for transparency. The Congress party, meanwhile, staged a protest march in Palakkad, targeting the BJP-ruled municipal corporation office. Protesters raised slogans, burned effigies of Chandrasekhar, and called for his immediate resignation and arrest.
At a press conference held in Thiruvananthapuram, Chandrasekhar dismissed the accusations as “baseless” and “politically motivated,” warning that legal action would be taken against those spreading misinformation. He maintained that the allegations were part of a diversionary tactic aimed at discrediting the BJP ahead of upcoming elections.
The issue has sparked widespread debate in Kerala’s political circles, with Congress leaders alleging that the scandal exposes deeper ethical concerns within the BJP’s leadership. CPI(M) leaders have echoed these sentiments, urging central authorities to intervene and ensure a fair investigation.
As the controversy unfolds, political observers note that the timing of the allegations—amid heightened electoral activity—could have significant implications for the BJP’s prospects in Kerala. The party has yet to issue an official statement beyond Chandrasekhar’s personal denial.
