Congress Takes Nomination Dispute To Election Commission
The Congress on Wednesday escalated its challenge against the rejection of its Rajya Sabha candidate’s nomination in Madhya Pradesh by approaching the Election Commission of India and seeking immediate intervention in the matter.
A high-profile delegation comprising senior party leaders, including K. C. Venugopal, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Vivek Tankha, Randeep Singh Surjewala, Jairam Ramesh, Bhupesh Baghel and Meenakshi Natarajan, met the Chief Election Commissioner and other commissioners in New Delhi.
Meenakshi Natarajan Says Party Trusts Constitutional Institutions
After the meeting, Natarajan said the party had placed its concerns before the Commission and remained committed to pursuing the issue through institutional channels.
“The Election Commission has heard us. We are fighting this battle because we still have faith in constitutional institutions,” she told reporters.
Her nomination for the Rajya Sabha election from Madhya Pradesh was rejected during scrutiny, triggering a political confrontation between the Congress and the BJP.
Congress Seeks Review Of Returning Officer’s Decision
Addressing the media after the meeting, Venugopal said the delegation had presented detailed facts and documentation supporting the party’s position.
According to him, Election Commission officials listened to the Congress delegation and assured them that the matter would be examined.
The party has argued that the rejection has created an uneven electoral contest and requires urgent correction before the election process moves further ahead.
Singhvi Questions Basis Of Rejection
Senior Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi strongly contested the grounds on which the nomination was rejected.
He argued that the decision was based on allegations linked to a matter in which, according to the Congress, no cognisance had been taken by a court.
“EC has the power to do justice and the power to right wrongs. We hope and trust that the EC will realise that this creates a non-level playing field, which strikes at the heart of democracy,” Singhvi said.
Calling the rejection unlawful, he added, “This is a completely egregious, blatant, patently unlawful, and without-law order. It should be set aside immediately.”
Political Battle Intensifies Ahead Of Rajya Sabha Poll Outcome
The controversy began after the Returning Officer rejected Natarajan’s nomination, citing the alleged non-disclosure of information related to a pending legal matter.
