Owaisi Raises Concerns Over Election Commission's Decision on Meenakshi Natarajan's Nomination

Owaisi Questions Election Commission's Actions

Asaduddin Owaisi, the leader of AIMIM and a Member of Parliament, expressed his apprehensions on Thursday regarding the Election Commission's process of canceling Meenakshi Natarajan's nomination for the Rajya Sabha. Speaking to the media, Owaisi pointed out that according to the nomination form rules set by the Election Commission, candidates are required to disclose any FIRs filed against them. He noted that Natarajan claims there are no FIRs against her, raising questions about the next steps that should be taken, which may require guidance from the Election Commission.

Reference to Previous Statements

Owaisi referenced an earlier statement by Rajya Sabha MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who asserted that there were no FIRs against him and that the matter was merely a private complaint. Owaisi questioned the possibility of any action being taken if there are indeed no FIRs. He explained that previously, under the BNSS, if a complaint was filed in court, the court could order the registration of an FIR, a process that has since changed.

Clarification on Natarajan's Status

Further, Owaisi mentioned that according to media reports citing Singhvi, there is currently no FIR against Natarajan, only a private complaint, and she has received a notice to appear in court. While he admitted he does not know the complete truth, he reiterated that Singhvi's statements suggest no FIR exists. These comments come amid ongoing discussions about the eligibility criteria for Rajya Sabha nominations and how pending complaints or legal matters are handled during the process. The Election Commission maintains that all necessary information, including any FIRs, must be disclosed when submitting nominations.

Congress Delegation Meets Election Commission

In response to the cancellation of Meenakshi Natarajan's nomination from Madhya Pradesh, a ten-member Congress delegation met with the Election Commission in New Delhi to discuss the matter. Senior Congress leader and lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi criticized the Returning Officer's decision as "incorrect" and contrary to the Representation of the People Act. He emphasized that the stage for cognizance of any criminal case against Natarajan has not yet been reached. The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a petition challenging the cancellation of Natarajan's nomination papers. Singhvi presented the case before Justices P.K. Mishra and Atul S. Chandurkar, urging for an expedited hearing or an interim order.

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