Meenakshi Natarajan Calls RS Nomination Rejection a ‘Conspiracy’, Targets BJP and EC

Senior Congress leader and AICC in-charge for Telangana affairs Meenakshi Natarajan on Sunday levelled serious allegations against the BJP and the Election Commission of India , claiming that both acted in coordination to ensure the rejection of her nomination for the Rajya Sabha elections from Madhya Pradesh .

Addressing a press conference in Hyderabad , Natarajan said her candidature was deliberately targeted after the Congress consolidated its position in the state. She alleged that the BJP , despite not having the numbers for a third seat, fielded multiple candidates with the intention of influencing the process and creating scope for “foul play”.

According to her, her nomination was rejected on the grounds of an incomplete affidavit in Form 26 , with the Returning Officer citing omission of details related to a court complaint. However, Natarajan maintained that the issue pertained only to a private complaint in the pre cognisance stage and did not constitute a criminal case that required disclosure.

She further alleged that the rejection was based on incorrect interpretation of records, claiming that there was no pending criminal case against her and that she had duly informed authorities about the legal notice and her response to it. She also said that a Congress delegation had approached the Election Commission of India , but no immediate relief was provided, prompting the party to move the Supreme Court .

The Supreme Court , however, on June 12 dismissed her plea challenging the rejection, granting her liberty to pursue the matter through an election petition. Following scrutiny of nomination papers, the Returning Officer had earlier declared all three BJP candidates elected unopposed .

Natarajan went on to allege that both the Returning Officers were “compromised” and the Election Commission itself had acted in a biased manner. She said the sequence of events reflected a broader attempt to weaken democratic processes, accusing the BJP of attempting to push a “One Nation, One Party” agenda.

Rejecting internal speculation within the Congress , she said the party remained united and dismissed claims of any internal conspiracy as “baseless”.

She also addressed a separate legal matter involving allegations raised in a complaint by a woman, stating that she and the party stood with the complainant. She noted that the individual linked to the case had already faced disciplinary action within the party, including removal from his post and subsequent suspension.

Natarajan said the Congress would continue to challenge the rejection through appropriate legal channels, including an election petition in the Madhya Pradesh High Court .