The Indian National Congress has approached the Supreme Court to challenge the rejection of its Rajya Sabha candidate Meenakshi Natarajan's nomination from Madhya Pradesh, seeking an urgent hearing before the court's vacation bench on Thursday, 12 June. The legal challenge comes a day after the Returning Officer cancelled Natarajan's papers following objections raised by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Why the Nomination Was Rejected

The Returning Officer rejected Natarajan's nomination papers on the grounds that she had allegedly failed to disclose a pending legal case in Telangana in her nomination affidavit. The BJP had formally raised this objection, making it the basis for the cancellation.

According to the objection filed, former corporate executive A. Srilatha has petitioned the Fourth Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court in Hyderabad, alleging that Natarajan provided political patronage to one Kumbham Shivakumar Reddy. Srilatha has levelled serious allegations against Reddy, including molestation and death threats. Natarajan's nomination was the Congress party's sole Rajya Sabha candidacy from Madhya Pradesh in this round.

Natarajan Calls It a 'Political Conspiracy'

Natarajan has categorically rejected the allegations, describing them as a 'political conspiracy' aimed at maligning her reputation. She has also opposed Srilatha's petition before a Hyderabad court, contesting its basis and intent.

On Wednesday, Natarajan alleged that the Returning Officers were 'compromised' and acting at the behest of the ruling government. 'We are in a battlefield where Congress leaders are not only fighting against an opposition party. Unfortunately, the institutions that our constitutional forefathers created are now being disrespected, and they appear to be influenced in a way that makes us feel we are also fighting against them,' she said.

She further stated: 'How can one not know how to fill a form? There is nothing legal or technical in this. This is just a political malintent which we saw at every step yesterday, how efforts were being made to subvert democracy.'

Sharp Attack on Returning Officers

Natarajan reserved her sharpest criticism for the officials who oversaw the nomination process. 'I will say this with full responsibility that the returning officers yesterday were compromised. They were working as spokespersons and as the frontal organisation heads of the current government,' she said.

This comes amid a broader pattern of opposition parties raising concerns about the neutrality of election-related officials during nomination proceedings. Notably, allegations of institutional bias during nomination rounds have surfaced in multiple states in recent election cycles.

What Happens Next

With Congress seeking urgent relief from the Supreme Court's vacation bench, the outcome of Thursday's hearing could determine whether Natarajan's candidacy is revived ahead of the Rajya Sabha election schedule. If the court declines to intervene, Congress will be left without a candidate from Madhya Pradesh in this cycle. Legal observers note that courts have previously granted interim relief in nomination-related disputes, though the bar for urgent intervention remains high.