Congress leader Meenakshi Natarajan has moved the Supreme Court, challenging the rejection of her Rajya Sabha nomination. The party is expected to bring up the matter early in the morning, seeking an urgent hearing before the court's vacation bench.
What Is The Entire Row?
This legal action comes after the returning officer rejected Natarajan's nomination papers due to objections raised by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The ruling party alleged that the Congress leader did not disclose information about a legal case in Telangana in the affidavit with her nomination papers.
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While the Congress party and Natarajan have dismissed the allegation as 'political conspiracy', Natarajan maintained that there is no case against her, and that the said issue was related to only a private complaint.
Launching a scathing attack on Wednesday, the Congress leader said that the Returning Officers (ROs) were 'compromised' and acting on the behest of the government.
Congress Approaches Election Commission
Earlier on Wednesday, the Congress delegation, led by senior advocate and MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi, met Election Commission officials in New Delhi and submitted a detailed representation, arguing that Natarajan's nomination had been rejected despite there being no criminal case against her that required disclosure under the election law.
The Election Commission is expected to announce its decision soon after consulting with its panel of legal experts.
Speaking to reporters, Abhishek Singhvi questioned the Election Officer's decision, stating that it was completely 'perverse' and 'legally incorrect'.
Singhvi clarified that Natarajan has no pending criminal cases which were required to be disclosed in her nomination papers. He explained that Natarajan had merely received a preliminary notice from the court regarding whether it should take cognisance of a complaint.
Taking cognisance is a very preliminary step that determines whether a case will proceed. Until the court takes cognisance, no criminal case begins. While the magistrate has not yet taken cognisance of this matter, the election officer accepted that a criminal case is pending against Meenakshi.
Why Can't Congress Field Another Candidate?
As Meenakshi Natarajan was the Congress's lone Rajya Sabha candidate from Madhya Pradesh, the rejection of her candidacy has left the party in limbo. Since Natarajan's nomination was rejected after the June 8 deadline, the Congress cannot field another candidate.