Abhishek Manu Singhvi termed the rejection of Meenakshi Natarajan’s Rajya Sabha nomination from Madhya Pradesh
June 10, 2026: The controversy surrounding the Madhya Pradesh Rajya Sabha elections intensified after Congress candidate Meenakshi Natarajan’s nomination was rejected by the Returning Officer. Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi described the decision as “poor and absolutely partisan,” arguing that the rejection lacked legal merit. The ruling came after BJP leaders objected to Natarajan’s nomination papers, alleging that she had failed to disclose details related to a case pending before a Hyderabad court.
Congress leaders strongly disputed the allegations, maintaining that no criminal case or FIR had been registered against Natarajan. Rajya Sabha MP and senior advocate Vivek Tankha clarified that only a notice regarding possible compensation proceedings had been issued and that a legal response had already been filed. The party argued that Election Commission guidelines require disclosure only when a formal criminal case exists and not merely upon receipt of a notice. Congress leaders further claimed that Natarajan was denied a fair opportunity to respond before her nomination was rejected.
The BJP defended the Returning Officer’s decision, with Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav stating that all pending legal matters must be disclosed in election affidavits. Meanwhile, a Congress delegation led by KC Venugopal approached the Election Commission, calling the development a “murder of democracy” and seeking immediate intervention. With Natarajan now out of the race, the BJP is set to secure all three Rajya Sabha seats from Madhya Pradesh unopposed, strengthening its position in the Upper House.