Thiruvananthapuram: In a decisive move, the Election Commission has scrutinized and determined that Congress leader Shashi Tharoor’s comments directed at BJP’s Rajeev Chandrasekhar during a televised discussion were unwarranted, infringing upon the Model Code of Conduct, and issued him a cautionary warning against lodging future “unsubstantiated claims.”

The EC’s stern advisory emerged following complaints from the BJP’s Election Legal Convener and the NDA’s Election Committee Convener, both alleging Tharoor’s unfounded remarks against Chandrasekhar.

Tharoor, the current MP for the Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha seat and contesting against Chandrasekhar, dismissed the accusations, asserting he had neither named Chandrasekhar nor his party in the interview.

Despite Tharoor’s assertion that his commentary was a broad reflection based on public feedback, the EC refuted his stance, labeling it “untenable.”

The commission noted that Tharoor’s insinuations, when viewed within the interview’s broader context, unmistakably referenced Rajeev Chandrasekhar. An ordinary observer could discern the allegations targeted Chandrasekhar.

The EC emphasized Tharoor’s lack of substantiation for his allegations, which it deemed severe and in breach of the Model Code of Conduct.

Yet, the EC did not conclude that Tharoor’s comments appealed to caste, communal, or religious sentiments.

“The statements were nonspecific, lacking a direct attempt to inflame such sentiments. Shashi Tharoor is firmly cautioned against making future unverified accusations in violation of the MCC,” it concluded in its April 12 directive.

Additionally, the EC instructed the broadcasting channel to refrain from airing the disputed segment of the interview while the MCC remains in effect.

“They are also instructed to halt any other forms of publication of the contentious segment during the MCC period,” it added.

Chandrasekhar, the Union Minister of State for Information Technology and Electronics, has already served Tharoor with a legal notice, accusing the Congress MP of defamatory statements on the television program.

The legal notice demanded Tharoor “promptly retract” the allegations made against Chandrasekhar on April 6 and issue an unequivocal public apology through print and electronic media.

It further implored Tharoor to “halt and refrain from maligning, harassing, and undermining the minister’s reputation” in future statements.