Meenakshi Natarajan Calls Supreme Court Setback A Blow To Democracy

Congress leader and Telangana affairs in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan on Friday termed the Supreme Court's decision to reject her plea challenging the dismissal of her Rajya Sabha nomination from Madhya Pradesh as a setback to democracy and constitutional values rather than a personal defeat .

Speaking to reporters, Natarajan said the issue was much larger than her individual candidature and raised serious concerns about the functioning of constitutional institutions. She said the Congress would hold discussions with its senior leadership and legal team before deciding on the next course of action.

Her nomination for the Rajya Sabha election was rejected by the Returning Officer on the grounds that she had allegedly failed to disclose details related to a legal matter. The Congress subsequently moved the Supreme Court seeking relief. However, the apex court declined to entertain the petition, while making it clear that its observations would not affect any election petition that may be filed before the High Court.

Appearing for Natarajan, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi argued that no charges had been framed against her under the Representation of the People Act , and therefore the rejection of her nomination was not legally justified.

Natarajan also accused the Election Commission of acting in a partisan manner. She alleged that Congress leaders had approached the Commission seeking clarification on the issue but received no response for nearly 48 hours. While expressing disappointment, she noted that the Supreme Court had at least heard the matter and delivered its decision.

She further argued that the controversy was not limited to Madhya Pradesh and was instead linked to the conduct of the Election Commission as a constitutional body. Meanwhile, Congress workers organised a large protest in New Delhi against the rejection of her candidature.

Addressing the controversy surrounding Form-26 , Natarajan maintained that she had concealed no information and that all documents submitted to the Election Commission were transparent and complete. She explained that Form-26 is an affidavit through which candidates disclose their assets, liabilities, educational qualifications, criminal cases and convictions.

According to Natarajan, the dispute centres on a legal notice she had received. She said the notice did not amount to a pending criminal case, no court had taken cognisance of the matter, and no charges had been framed against her. She added that details relating to the notice had already been disclosed in a memorandum submitted to the Election Commission and would also be placed before the courts.

Natarajan contended that Form-26 does not contain a specific provision requiring disclosure of private complaints or preliminary legal notices. Had such a category existed, she said, she would have disclosed the information without hesitation. Congress leaders Harish Chaudhary, Jitu Patwari, Umang Singhar and Devendra Yadav were also present at the press conference.