Published Jun 09, 2026 | 7:57 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 09, 2026 | 10:07 PM
Meenakshi Natarajan. (X)
Synopsis: Natarajan’s nomination was rejected after the BJP approached the returning officer with a complaint, alleging that the Congress leader had failed to disclose a case pending against her in a Telangana court. Madhya Pradesh BJP Minister, meanwhile, hinted at Congress’ internal rift causing the fiasco.
Did factionalism in Telangana’s Congress unit pull the plug on the party’s plan to send senior leader Meenakshi Natarajan to the Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh?
Madhya Pradesh Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, on Tuesday, 9 June, hinted that infighting in the Congress shattered Natarajan’s — and the party’s — hope of bagging a Rajya Sabha seat.
The minister’s statement came after the election authorities rejected Natarajan’s nomination after it was found that she had allegedly concealed information about a case against her in the affidavit.
Pointing to a rift in the Congress party, Vijayavargiya said the BJP, which complained against Natarajan, “got the information about the case from Telangana”.
“We’re getting papers from Telangana, where their (the Congress) government is in power. It must have been the Congress people themselves who gave us the information — this is the state of the Congress,” he told reporters in Bhopal.
Earlier, Natarajan’s nomination was rejected after the BJP approached the returning officer with a complaint, alleging that the Congress leader had failed to disclose a case pending against her in a Telangana court.
Natarajan is the AICC office-bearer in charge of Telangana. Candidates are mandatorily required to mention pending cases against them.
The Congress contested the BJP’s objection, terming it baseless. The party maintained that Natarajan was not facing any criminal case, and only a notice had been issued to her, which did not warrant a mandatory declaration in the poll affidavit.
“Only a notice has been received stating why proceedings for 10 crore compensation should not be initiated against her and other people. Meenakshi ji’s lawyer has responded to this notice. No FIR has been filed,” Rajya Sabha member Vivek Tankha posted on X.
Responding to the rejection, Natarajan said the issue cropped up after the BJP fielded a third candidate despite lacking the requisite numerical strength.
“It became evident that they were engaging in politics designed to trample upon the Constitution and democracy…They are clearly attempting to manipulate the Rajya Sabha election just as they previously subverted elections in Madhya Pradesh…This is not merely about a Rajya Sabha seat or a specific candidate; it is about the broader struggle for the “Idea of India” and democracy that our leader, Rahul Gandhi, is waging a critical battle for our nation today,” she said.
“The question is whether democracy will prevail, whether India’s federal structure will endure, and whether the attempt to impose a one-party system and dictatorship will be thwarted…,” Natarajan added.
In the 230-member Madhya Pradesh Assembly, the BJP has 164 MLAs. Its strength could comfortably secure two Rajya Sabha seats, while retaining 48 surplus votes. To win the third seat, the BJP would need cross-voting for support from other parties.
The alleged case the BJP mentioned pertained to a complaint by a woman, A Srilata, who approached the Metropolitan Magistrate Court in Hyderabad on 20 August 2025. The complainant had named Natarajan as accused number four.
The court issued a notice to Natarajan on 17 September 2025, asking her to submit a response in person. In a counter-affidavit filed on 24 October, Natarajan’s lawyer denied the charge and alleged that the complaint was politically motivated.
Though the lawyer sought the dismissal of the case, the court did not entertain the request. The case is pending before the court.
Meanwhile, the deadline for filing nominations expired on Monday, 8 June.
