File photo of Shashi Tharoor
The Bharatiya Janata Party and the Left have filed a complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer in Kerala against Congress leader Shashi Tharoor for alleged violation of model code of conduct.
The BJP has alleged in its complaint that Mr Tharoor, a Congress candidate from Thiruvananthapuram, met missionary pastors during campaigning and offered money in lieu of votes.
"Tharoor assured all help from CM if they voted in his favour to 60-70 pastors whom he met in an attempt to garner votes from," the BJP says in its complaint.
The BJP has based its complaint on audio recordings aired on regional television channels which purportedly show Mr Tharoor speaking to pastors about the tough competition he is facing in his constituency and his wife Sunanda's death.
A pastor is reportedly heard in the audio recording claiming that Rs 1000-1500 were offered by Mr Tharoor.