BJP challenges Congress RS nominee Natarajan over Telangana court notice in MP
Synopsis
The BJP has moved to disqualify Congress's sole Rajya Sabha nominee in Madhya Pradesh, citing an undisclosed Telangana court notice in her affidavit. With just 62 MLAs, Congress has a razor-thin margin to win the third seat — making the Returning Officer's ruling on this objection potentially decisive for the entire contest.
Key Takeaways
BJP filed a formal objection against Congress nominee Meenakshi Natarajan 's Rajya Sabha nomination in Madhya Pradesh on 9 June .
The objection cites a court notice issued by an Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate in Telangana on 17 September 2025 , allegedly not disclosed in her affidavit.
Kailash Vijayvargiya , senior BJP leader and minister, lodged the complaint with the Returning Officer.
Congress in-charge Harish Chaudhary called the objection baseless, noting a show-cause notice does not amount to a criminal charge.
A brief scuffle broke out between BJP and Congress workers outside the Returning Officer's office before police intervened.
The BJP's 165 MLAs can win two of the three seats; the Congress's 62 MLAs give Natarajan a narrow path to the third seat if her nomination stands.
The Rajya Sabha election contest in Madhya Pradesh sharpened on Tuesday, 9 June after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) filed a formal objection with the Returning Officer against Congress nominee Meenakshi Natarajan, alleging she withheld information about an active legal proceeding in Telangana from her nomination affidavit. The BJP demanded outright rejection of her candidature, arguing the omission violates Election Commission of India (ECI) norms.
The Objection and the Document
Senior BJP leader and minister in the Mohan Yadav cabinet, Kailash Vijayvargiya, lodged the complaint, contending that a case involving Natarajan is pending before a Telangana court and was not disclosed as required. The document cited in the objection was issued by an Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate on 17 September 2025. The notice states: 'U/Sec. 223 BNSS has been filed by the petitioner on September 17, 2025, for your appearance (Meenakshi Natarajan) and filing a counter if any. You are directed to attend this court without fail.'
Congress Pushes Back
The objection is under scrutiny at the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly. State Congress president Jitu Patwari and former Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh, alongside other party leaders, met the Returning Officer to contest the BJP's charge. Madhya Pradesh Congress in-charge Harish Chaudhary dismissed the objection as politically motivated. 'The point on which the BJP objected is baseless, because Natarajan was issued a show-cause notice, not charged with a criminal case. A notice can be issued to anyone,' Chaudhary said, accusing the BJP of acting out of desperation after fielding a third candidate without adequate numbers.
Tension Outside the Returning Officer's Office
The face-off extended beyond the formal proceedings. BJP workers gathered outside the Returning Officer's office, raising slogans of 'Vande Mataram' and 'Bharat Mata.' A brief scuffle broke out between BJP and Congress workers before police and officials brought the situation under control. This is the latest in a series of escalating confrontations as both parties jostle over the third and most contested of the three available seats.
The Numbers Game
Natarajan filed her nomination on Monday for one of the three Rajya Sabha seats from Madhya Pradesh. The BJP has fielded Rajneesh Agarwal, Tarun Chugh, and Mahesh Kevat. With 58 first-preference votes required per seat, the BJP's 165 MLAs can comfortably secure two seats but fall short for the third. The Congress, with 62 MLAs, holds a narrow but workable margin to elect Natarajan — making the validity of her nomination pivotal to the outcome.
What Happens Next
The Returning Officer is expected to rule on the BJP's objection before the final candidate list is confirmed. If the nomination is upheld, the contest for the third seat is set to be a close-run affair. Should the objection succeed, the Congress would lose its sole candidate in the race. Both parties are closely watching the scrutiny proceedings at the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly.
Point of View
A procedural challenge is the only realistic lever available. The distinction Congress draws — between a court summons under Section 223 BNSS and a criminal charge — is legally significant and will likely determine the Returning Officer's call. What the episode underscores is how thin the line between legitimate electoral scrutiny and pre-poll attrition politics has become. If the objection fails, the BJP risks looking like it cried wolf; if it succeeds on a technicality, it sets a precedent with implications well beyond this one seat.
NationPress
28 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has the BJP objected to Meenakshi Natarajan's Rajya Sabha nomination?
The BJP alleges that Natarajan did not disclose a pending legal proceeding in Telangana in her nomination affidavit, which it argues violates Election Commission of India norms. The party has demanded that the Returning Officer reject her candidature on this ground.
What is the Telangana court notice cited in the BJP's objection?
The notice was issued by an Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate in Telangana on 17 September 2025, directing Natarajan to appear before the court and file a counter under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The BJP contends this constituted a pending legal proceeding that should have been declared.
How has the Congress responded to the objection?
Congress in-charge Harish Chaudhary called the objection baseless, arguing that a show-cause notice is not equivalent to a criminal charge and that such notices can be issued to anyone. Senior leaders including Jitu Patwari and Digvijaya Singh met the Returning Officer to counter the BJP's submission.
What are the vote numbers in the Madhya Pradesh Rajya Sabha election?
Each of the three seats requires 58 first-preference votes. The BJP's 165 MLAs are sufficient to win two seats comfortably but fall short for the third. The Congress, with 62 MLAs, has a narrow margin to elect Natarajan, making the fate of her nomination critical.
Who are the candidates in the Madhya Pradesh Rajya Sabha election?
The BJP has fielded Rajneesh Agarwal, Tarun Chugh, and Mahesh Kevat for the three seats. The Congress has nominated Meenakshi Natarajan, whose papers are currently under objection before the Returning Officer.
