Political Setback for Congress in Madhya Pradesh as Nomination Gets Rejected

In a significant political development in Madhya Pradesh, the Congress party has encountered a major setback as the Election Commission has annulled Meenakshi Natarajan's nomination for the Rajya Sabha elections. This decision clears the way for the BJP to secure all three vacant seats without opposition. Allegations against Natarajan included the concealment of critical information regarding a pending legal case. With her disqualification, the BJP's Mahesh Kevat is expected to be declared the third candidate, ensuring a complete sweep for the ruling party. This article delves into the implications of this political shift and the profiles of the candidates involved.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 10, 2026, 11:03 IST

Major Political Development in Madhya Pradesh

A significant political event has unfolded in Madhya Pradesh, where the Congress party has faced a major setback during the scrutiny of nominations for the Rajya Sabha elections. The Election Commission has annulled the nomination of Meenakshi Natarajan, the official candidate from Congress and a former MP. This dramatic turn of events indicates that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to dominate all three vacant Rajya Sabha seats in the state. With the rejection of the Congress candidate's nomination, the path is now clear for BJP's third candidate, Mahesh Kevat, to win unopposed.

Reasons Behind the Rejection of Meenakshi Natarajan's Nomination

The BJP had previously raised serious objections regarding Natarajan's nomination papers. They alleged that she concealed crucial information in her affidavit and that there were technical flaws in the documents. A primary concern was that Natarajan failed to disclose a pending legal case against her in a Telangana court. After a thorough investigation, election officials upheld the BJP's objections, leading to the cancellation of Natarajan's nomination. This decision effectively eliminated Congress's challenge in the Rajya Sabha elections.

Who is Mahesh Kevat?

Mahesh Kevat is a seasoned leader of the BJP, closely associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the party's organizational framework for many years. Earlier this week, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav praised Kevat for his decades of public service and ideological commitment. According to Yadav, Kevat has been linked with the RSS since childhood and has held various responsibilities within the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and the youth wing of the BJP. He has also served in different roles within the Sangh Parivar.

Highlighting Kevat's social background, the Chief Minister noted that his nomination continues the legacy associated with the revered figure Nishad Raj from Hindu mythology. Kevat has previously served as the chairman of the Madhya Pradesh Fishermen Welfare Board.

Consequences of Natarajan's Nomination Rejection

The BJP's allegations against Natarajan included various deficiencies in her nomination papers and the concealment of certain information. One of the main objections was her failure to disclose a pending legal case in a Telangana court. Reports indicate that election officials accepted these objections during the investigation, resulting in the cancellation of Natarajan's nomination and nearly extinguishing Congress's challenge in the Rajya Sabha elections. With the Congress candidate now out of the race, the BJP is poised to secure all three Rajya Sabha seats in Madhya Pradesh without any competition.

The party already had the necessary legislative support to ensure the election of its other two candidates, Tarun Chugh and Rajneesh Agarwal. Following the rejection of Natarajan's nomination, Mahesh Kevat is expected to be declared as the third successful candidate for the BJP, ensuring a complete victory for the ruling party in the state's Rajya Sabha elections.