Congress Leaders Challenge Rejection of Meenakshi Natarajan's Rajya Sabha Nomination

In a significant political move, Congress leaders have approached the Election Commission to contest the rejection of Meenakshi Natarajan's nomination for the Rajya Sabha. They argue that the decision is unjust, citing the absence of any pending legal cases against her. Prominent figures, including Abhishek Singhvi, have criticized the Returning Officer's ruling as biased and illegal. The Congress delegation is urging the commission to reverse this decision, emphasizing the importance of maintaining fair democratic practices. With the deadline for withdrawal approaching, the party is advocating for Natarajan's right to participate in the election process.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 10, 2026, 13:20 IST

Congress Delegation Appeals to Election Commission

In New Delhi, prominent leaders from the Congress party convened with the Election Commission on Wednesday, asserting that the rejection of Meenakshi Natarajan's nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh was unjust.

The delegation, which included notable figures such as K C Venugopal, Randeep Surjewala, Jairam Ramesh, Deepa Dasmunshi, Vivek Tankha, and Abhishek Singhvi, alongside Natarajan herself, urged the commission to overturn this decision.

They argued that there are no pending legal issues against Natarajan, as a private complaint against her has not yet been acknowledged by any court.

Singhvi, who leads the Congress legal team, expressed on social media that the Returning Officer's decision was not only poor but also biased.

He mentioned that he had discussions with Natarajan and other senior Congress members after learning about the 'remarkable and astonishing rejection' of her nomination.

Singhvi emphasized that the rejection appears to be illegal since no criminal charges exist against Natarajan under the law.

He clarified that a private complaint does not constitute a criminal case until a magistrate or judge formally acknowledges it.

In this instance, a court has merely issued a notice regarding the private complaint, and the matter of cognizance is still pending.

Singhvi argued that the Returning Officer could not have made an independent and fair assessment, as the law does not support the rejection of her nomination.

He expressed hope that the Election Commission would utilize its authority to reverse the decision, warning that failure to do so would undermine democratic principles and create an uneven playing field in elections.

Singhvi noted that there is still time for action, as the deadline for withdrawal is today, asserting that no individual should be denied the right to nominate themselves for the Rajya Sabha in a democratic society.