SETBACK FOR CONGRESS

SETBACK FOR CONGRESS

10-JUNE-ENG 1

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

DELHI---------------------------Congress has suffered a major setback in Madhya Pradesh just ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections. The nomination of the party's candidate, Meenakshi Natarajan, has been rejected. The BJP had raised objections to her nomination papers, alleging that certain crucial information had been withheld in her affidavit. After examining the matter, the Returning Officer upheld the objections and cancelled her nomination. This decision has stirred up state politics and sparked fresh discussions regarding the electoral contest.

The BJP had lodged an objection with election officials regarding Congress candidate Meenakshi Natarajan's nomination. The BJP alleged that Natarajan failed to disclose details of a case registered against her in her nomination papers and affidavit. The BJP maintains that this information should have been included in the election documents. However, Meenakshi Natarajan has dismissed these allegations, stating that no FIR has been registered against her. According to her, she had merely received a notice, and a notice cannot be equated with an FIR. Following this dispute, the Returning Officer investigated the matter and ultimately cancelled her nomination. This decision has heated up the politics surrounding the Rajya Sabha elections.

Congress has expressed strong objection to the decision to cancel Meenakshi Natarajan's nomination. The party alleges that its candidate in Madhya Pradesh was not given adequate opportunity to present her side, whereas in Jharkhand—after Congress raised objections against a BJP-backed Rajya Sabha candidate—the candidate concerned was granted time to present their case and submit documents. Congress leaders argue that different rules cannot apply to different states within the same election process. The party has questioned why Meenakshi Natarajan was denied the same right to a hearing that was granted to the candidate in Jharkhand. Terming the move contrary to the principles of the democratic process and fair elections, Congress has demanded that the Election Commission intervene in the matter.

The BJP has described this action as being entirely in accordance with the rules. Party leaders state that the scrutiny of nominations was conducted in accordance with election rules, and the decision taken is part of the legal process.