Bhopal: The Congress is preparing to take legal action after the nomination of its Rajya Sabha candidate Meenakshi Natarajan from Madhya Pradesh was rejected, triggering a fresh political confrontation between the party and the BJP ahead of the Upper House polls.
Natarajan’s nomination was rejected by election authorities over an alleged failure to disclose information related to a legal case in her election affidavit. The decision came as a major setback for the Congress, which had fielded her as its candidate from Madhya Pradesh.
The Congress has strongly objected to the rejection and accused the ruling side of influencing the process. Party leaders staged protests and claimed that democratic norms had been violated. According to reports, the party has decided to challenge the cancellation before the court and also raise the matter with the Election Commission of India.
Congress leaders have argued that Natarajan was not an accused in any criminal case and that the objection raised against her nomination was baseless. Telangana Congress leaders also rejected the BJP’s claim, saying there was no case pending against Natarajan in the manner being alleged. They said the matter cited by the BJP related to a private court petition in Telangana and that no adverse order had been passed against her.
The controversy has intensified the political atmosphere in Madhya Pradesh, where the Rajya Sabha election had already become a closely watched contest. The BJP’s decision to field an additional candidate had increased pressure on the Congress, which was working to keep its MLAs united ahead of voting.
The Election Commission is likely to hear a Congress delegation on the issue. The party is expected to seek a review of the nomination rejection and demand that Natarajan be allowed to remain in the contest.
The BJP, meanwhile, has maintained that the rejection was based on rules and affidavit requirements. Its leaders have accused the Congress of trying to politicise a procedural matter.
For the Congress, the issue is now both legal and political. If the rejection stands, it could alter the party’s Rajya Sabha strategy in Madhya Pradesh. If the decision is overturned, it may give the Congress a major morale boost before the election. The final outcome will depend on the Election Commission’s response and any court proceedings that follow.