Congress Candidate's Rajya Sabha Nomination Rejected in Madhya Pradesh; BJP Positioned to Win All Three Seats
The returning officer in Madhya Pradesh rejected Congress candidate Meenakshi Natarajan's nomination for the June 18 Rajya Sabha election after she failed to disclose details of a pending case in Telangana. Congress alleges the rejection was illegal and part of a BJP conspiracy, while BJP argues the returning officer correctly applied election law requiring disclosure of pending criminal matters. If the rejection stands, BJP's three candidates would run unopposed for the three available seats.
Meenakshi Natarajan's nomination for the Madhya Pradesh Rajya Sabha election was rejected on Tuesday after the returning officer found she had not disclosed details of a pending case in Telangana. Congress claims the case involves a BNS Section 223 matter (intentional disobedience by a public servant) that did not require disclosure under prescribed norms, while BJP's legal cell contends that any pending criminal matter with a court summons must be declared. The rejection dramatically shifts the election arithmetic: with BJP holding 164 of 230 assembly seats and needing 58 votes per candidate to win, the party can secure two seats comfortably and had fielded a third candidate (Mahesh Kewat) dependent on surplus votes or cross-voting. Congress has announced it will challenge the rejection before the Election Commission and Supreme Court, but under election law, the EC cannot overturn the returning officer's decision during scrutiny. Unless Congress obtains urgent legal relief, the three BJP candidates would effectively run unopposed.
What's missing
The specific details of the pending case against Natarajan in Telangana and the exact nature of the BNS Section 223 charge are not provided. Additionally, the timeline for potential legal challenges and when a final decision might be reached is not specified.
What different sources said
- Times of IndiaCenter
Congress fumes as Natarajan’s Rajya Sabha nomination nixed, BJP close to winning all 3 in MP
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