Congress Rajya Sabha Candidate Meenakshi Natarajan's Nomination Rejected

Five protesters were killed and 15 others injured in PoK as clashes erupted during demonstrations, triggering fresh tensions in the region.

The BJP had challenged Natarajan's nomination, alleging that she failed to disclose details relating to a criminal case.

Source : ABP Live

The Congress suffered a major setback ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections after the nomination of its Madhya Pradesh candidate, Meenakshi Natarajan, was rejected by the Returning Officer. The development came after the BJP objected to her nomination papers, alleging that key information had been concealed. The rejection has significantly altered the electoral equation for the June 18 Rajya Sabha polls in Madhya Pradesh and left the Congress without a candidate in the fray. Natarajan is widely regarded as a close associate of both Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.

Nomination Rejected

The BJP had challenged Natarajan's nomination, alleging that she failed to disclose details relating to a criminal case. Acting on the objection, the Returning Officer rejected her nomination papers, dealing a blow to the Congress's prospects in the state.

However, the Congress strongly disputed the allegations. Senior party leader, Rajya Sabha MP and noted lawyer Vivek Tankha said misinformation was being spread regarding Natarajan's nomination.

In a post on X, Tankha clarified that no criminal case had been registered against the Congress leader. He stated that only a notice had been issued asking why compensation proceedings of Rs 10 crore should not be initiated against her and others. According to him, Natarajan's lawyer had already responded to the notice and no FIR had been lodged in the matter.

Congress Hits Back

Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath accused the BJP of attempting to secure the Rajya Sabha seat through unfair means. In a post on X, he alleged that the ruling party had crossed all limits of political propriety.

Kamal Nath claimed that a flight carrying Congress MLAs was deliberately delayed, objections were maliciously raised against Natarajan's nomination and BJP leaders created disturbances within the Assembly premises. He asserted that the Congress would not be intimidated by such tactics.

The Rajya Sabha election for three seats in Madhya Pradesh is scheduled for June 18. Before the rejection, four candidates were in the contest. With Natarajan's nomination now cancelled, only three candidates remain in the race, all from the BJP.

Ahead of the election, the Congress had shifted around 48 of its MLAs to Bengaluru as part of its strategy to prevent any cross-voting and keep its legislators together.