The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a plea filed by Congress leader Meenakshi Natarajan challenging the rejection of her nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha election from Madhya Pradesh, prompting a sharp attack from the party leader on the Election Commission.
The case had emerged as a political flashpoint after Natarajan’s nomination for one of the three Rajya Sabha seats from Madhya Pradesh was rejected by the Returning Officer over an alleged failure to disclose a pending criminal case. The Congress had protested the decision, approached the Election Commission seeking intervention, and later moved the Supreme Court.
A bench of the apex court declined to interfere with the matter, stating, “We are not inclined to entertain this petition and it is hereby dismissed.”
The court, however, clarified that its observations would not prejudice any election petition that may be filed before the competent High Court in connection with the dispute.
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Natarajan, argued before the court that charges had not been framed in the criminal case cited against her. According to him, framing of charges is a necessary requirement under the Representation of the People Act for a nomination to be rejected on such grounds.
Meenakshi Natarajan alleges Election Commission bias
Soon after the verdict, Natarajan accused the Election Commission of acting unfairly and said the controversy extended beyond her individual candidature.
“This is not a personal setback. This is a setback to the democracy and the Constitution of India,” she said while speaking to reporters in Delhi.
Referring to the events surrounding her nomination, Natarajan alleged that the Election Commission had failed to adequately respond to concerns raised by her party.
“I said this in the beginning that the members of the Election Commission were compromised. When our people went to the Election Commission, they did not answer us for 48 hours. The Supreme Court at least heard our plea and gave a verdict,” she said.
The Congress leader also reiterated allegations against election authorities involved in the nomination process.
“I have been saying from day one that the Election Commission is deeply compromised, and today this has been proven once again. We were talking about the Election Commission. We were highlighting how the Returning Officer was compromised, and they have been exposed before the public,” she said.
At the same time, Natarajan avoided criticising the judiciary directly, saying, “We all know the Election Commission’s stance. I do not wish to make any comment regarding the Supreme Court.”
Congress had approached EC before moving Supreme Court
Following the rejection of Natarajan’s nomination papers, senior Congress leaders had met Election Commission officials and sought an immediate reversal of the Returning Officer’s decision.
After failing to secure relief, the party approached the Supreme Court challenging the rejection.
Congress leaders also staged a Satyagraha in New Delhi on Friday in support of Natarajan and to protest the handling of the nomination process.