Congress meets ECI over Meenakshi Natarajan's RS nomination rejection in MP
Synopsis
The Election Commission of India sat down with a Congress delegation on 10 June after the Returning Officer rejected Meenakshi Natarajan's Rajya Sabha nomination in Madhya Pradesh — the party's lone candidate. With the election just eight days away and the BJP's objection citing an undisclosed Telangana court notice, the meeting could decide whether Congress even has a candidate on 18 June.
Key Takeaways
The ECI met a Congress delegation at Nirvachan Sadan on 10 June at noon to hear objections over the rejection of Meenakshi Natarajan's Rajya Sabha nomination.
The Returning Officer rejected Natarajan's papers ahead of the 18 June biennial Rajya Sabha election in Madhya Pradesh .
The BJP objected, alleging Natarajan concealed a pending case in a Telangana court involving a ₹10 crore compensation notice.
Congress MP Vivek Tankha clarified no FIR was filed against Natarajan and that a reply to the notice had already been submitted.
Former CM Kamal Nath accused the BJP of using 'undemocratic tactics' to capture a Congress Rajya Sabha seat.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday, 10 June received a Congress delegation at Nirvachan Sadan in New Delhi to hear the party's objections over the rejection of Meenakshi Natarajan's nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha election in Madhya Pradesh, scheduled for 18 June. The meeting, held at noon, was convened after the Congress formally requested a hearing following the Returning Officer's decision to disqualify its lone candidate in the state.
How the Meeting Was Convened
ECI Secretary Ashwani Kumar Mohal wrote to the Congress president confirming the appointment, stating: '…The Commission has… decided to give an appointment to the delegation of Indian National Congress for an interaction at 12 noon on June 10 (Wednesday) at Nirvachan Sadan, Ashoka Road, New Delhi.' Mohal also requested the names of delegation members ahead of the visit.
Grounds for Rejection and the BJP's Objection
The Returning Officer for the 18 June biennial Rajya Sabha elections in Madhya Pradesh rejected Natarajan's nomination on grounds related to an alleged non-disclosure. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had filed an objection claiming Natarajan concealed information about a case pending before the Fourth Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's court in Telangana.
According to the objection, former corporate executive A. Srilatha had petitioned the court against Natarajan, alleging that she provided political patronage to Kumbham Shivakumar Reddy, against whom Srilatha has levelled charges including molestation and death threats. Natarajan has described the situation as a 'political conspiracy' and reportedly opposed Srilatha's petition in the Hyderabad court, calling it an attempt to damage her reputation.
Congress Disputes the Grounds
Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Vivek Tankha rejected the basis of the BJP's objection, alleging that deliberate misinformation was being spread about Natarajan's candidature. Tankha clarified that no criminal case had been registered against her and that the matter involved only a notice asking why proceedings for recovery of ₹10 crore in compensation should not be initiated against her and several others.
He added that Natarajan's lawyer had already filed a reply to the notice at the election office and that no FIR had been lodged. 'Confusion is being deliberately created about Meenakshi Natarajan's nomination. There is no registered criminal case against her. A notice was merely issued seeking an explanation, and a response has already been filed. No FIR has been registered,' Tankha wrote on X.
Kamal Nath Accuses BJP of Undemocratic Tactics
Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath accused the BJP of attempting to capture a Congress Rajya Sabha seat through what he termed 'undemocratic tactics.' He alleged that BJP leaders intentionally challenged Natarajan's nomination before creating a commotion inside the Assembly premises, using administrative and procedural manoeuvres to derail the Congress campaign.
'The BJP is bent on violating all political norms to snatch the Congress party's Rajya Sabha seat in Madhya Pradesh. However, the Congress will not be intimidated by such tactics, and the BJP will face a humiliating defeat,' Nath said.
What Happens Next
The outcome of the Congress delegation's meeting with the ECI will likely determine whether Natarajan's nomination is reinstated ahead of the 18 June Rajya Sabha election. The episode has drawn attention to the procedural scrutiny applied to nomination papers and the political stakes attached to even a single upper-house seat in a state where both parties are locked in a sustained rivalry.
Point of View
Rather than a registered criminal case, as grounds for objection is a tactical choice worth scrutiny: nomination law requires disclosure of criminal cases, and the threshold between a compensation notice and a criminal proceeding is precisely the contested point here. If the ECI upholds the rejection, it sets a precedent that could be deployed in future elections to challenge candidates on the basis of civil or pre-FIR proceedings. The Congress, for its part, is framing this as institutional capture — but the party's ability to contest the seat ultimately depends on how fast it can move through the ECI and, if needed, the courts.
NationPress
28 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Meenakshi Natarajan's Rajya Sabha nomination rejected?
The Returning Officer for the Madhya Pradesh Rajya Sabha election rejected Natarajan's nomination papers after the BJP filed an objection alleging she had concealed a pending case in a Telangana court. The case involves a civil court notice related to a ₹10 crore compensation claim, not a registered criminal case, according to Congress.
What is the Congress's position on the rejection?
Congress has disputed the rejection, with Rajya Sabha MP Vivek Tankha stating that no FIR has been filed against Natarajan and that the matter concerns only a civil notice to which a reply has already been submitted. The party met the ECI on 10 June to formally contest the decision.
When is the Madhya Pradesh Rajya Sabha election scheduled?
The biennial Rajya Sabha election in Madhya Pradesh is scheduled for 18 June. The rejection of Natarajan's nomination, if upheld, would leave Congress without a candidate for the seat.
What did Kamal Nath say about the BJP's role?
Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath accused the BJP of using 'undemocratic tactics' to capture a Congress Rajya Sabha seat. He alleged BJP leaders deliberately challenged Natarajan's nomination and created a commotion inside the Assembly premises to derail the Congress campaign.
What is the Telangana court case cited in the BJP's objection?
Former corporate executive A. Srilatha petitioned the Fourth Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's court in Telangana against Natarajan, alleging she provided political patronage to Kumbham Shivakumar Reddy, against whom Srilatha has levelled charges including molestation and death threats. Congress says Natarajan has opposed the petition, calling it a political conspiracy.
