Bhopal: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday rejected Congress leader Meenakshi Natarajan’s application for Rajya Sabha nomination from Madhya Pradesh following complaints that she had not disclosed details of a case against her in her affidavit.
“Natarajan’s nomination has been rejected by the Returning Officer on the grounds of hiding information about a case,” a Madhya Pradesh Assembly official told PTI.
The Congress tried to protest against the Returning officer’s decision with a delegation led by senior party leader KC Venugopal reaching the ECI office after 6 pm, but most officials had left by then, NDTV reported citing sources. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar was present in the commission’s office, but the Congress had not sought an appointment with him, according to sources.
According to Congress, Venugopal had sought a 7.30 pm appointment.
The ECI has, however, accepted a memorandum from the Congress and will seek a report from the Returning Officer.
Natarajan, considered to be a close aide of Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, blamed the BJP for her nomination cancellation.
“It all began when the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party fielded a third candidate despite lacking the requisite numerical strength. It became evident that they were engaging in politics designed to trample upon the Constitution and democracy…They are clearly attempting to manipulate the Rajya Sabha election just as they previously subverted elections in Madhya Pradesh,” Natarajan said.
“This is not merely about a Rajya Sabha seat or a specific candidate; it is about the broader struggle for the ‘Idea of India’ and democracy that our leader, Rahul Gandhi, is waging a critical battle for our nation today. The question is whether democracy will prevail, whether India’s federal structure will endure, and whether the attempt to impose a one-party system and dictatorship will be thwarted,” she added.
A complaint was submitted by BJP’s Mahesh Kewat, contesting the third Rajya Sabha seat, to the Returning Officer alleging that Natarajan deliberately concealed information about a case filed against her in a Telangana court.
Harish Chaudhary, Madhya Pradesh in-charge of Congress, denied the charges. He said Natarajan had been served a showcause notice from the Telangana court, hence it was not necessary to mention it in the affidavit.
He argued that ECI’s instructions state that information must be provided in the nomination papers when a case is filed, not upon receiving a notice. “Technically, Natarajan’s nomination cannot be rejected,” Chaudhary added.
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