Following the dismissal of Meenakshi Natarajan’s petition by the Supreme Court on Friday, Minister Vishvas Sarang stated that the Congress is stirring up a controversy over the Rajya Sabha elections without any real issue. The cancellation of Meenakshi Natarajan’s nomination form was entirely due to technical reasons. The Congress did this deliberately as they knew that if an election were held for the third seat, then the BJP would win. They filed a flawed form out of fear of cross-voting and to save face. When the form was rejected, they resorted to political theatrics. The Supreme Court has clearly established the truth of the matter. The dismissal of the Congress’s petition has once again demonstrated that the Congress makes a mockery of democratic processes and tampers with democratic system. Sarang further said that leaders like Digvijaya Singh are even accusing the Supreme Court of dishonesty. This reflects the undemocratic mindset of the Congress.

 

We welcome the decision taken by the Supreme Court. The Congress follows a path of dishonesty and indulge in the blame game unnecessary. Vishvas Sarang, a minister in the Mohan Yadav Government, has targeted the Congress party over the Meenakshi Natarajan’s name rejection issue. Another BJP leader stated that one cannot rule out a conspiracy by Congress leaders behind the matter, noting that Meenakshi Natarajan’s name had been selected by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, a choice that did not sit well with certain senior Congress leaders in the State. Voices of dissent had emerged immediately after her name was announced. All senior Congress leaders would be aware that disclosing details of any criminal cases in the election affidavit is mandatory. Yet, this information was not provided. Now, the Congress is trying to pin the blame for its defeat on the BJP.

 

State Congress Committee Media In-charge Mukesh Nayak informed that on Friday, Congress party leaders held a significant joint press conference at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) office in New Delhi regarding the Madhya Pradesh Rajya Sabha elections and issues concerning democratic values. At the AICC office in New Delhi, Madhya Pradesh Congress In-charge Harish Chaudhary, Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee President Jitu Patwari, Leader of the Opposition Umang Singhar, and Rajya Sabha candidate from Madhya Pradesh, Meenakshi Natarajan, addressed a key joint press conference. Senior Congress leaders and MLAs were present on this occasion, including Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Singh, former Leader of the

 

Opposition Ajay Singh, former Union Minister Arun Yadav, CWC member Kamleshwar Patel, CEC member Omkar Markam, former Deputy Speaker of the Assembly Rajendra Singh, former Minister Sajjan Singh Verma, former MP Vijayalakshmi Sadho, and National President of the Tribal Congress Vikrant Bhuria. State In-charge Harish Chaudhary stated that Meenakshi Natarajan had filed her nomination for the Rajya Sabha election in accordance with the constitutional framework. The nomination was filed following all rules and regulations, yet it was subsequently rejected.State Congress President Jitu Patwari remarked that the role of the Returning Officer in the matter of Meenakshi Natarajan’s nomination has been questionable. He noted that the officer’s conduct had previously come under scrutiny regarding the issue of an MLA’s membership.

 

He pointed out that when three BJP Rajya Sabha MPs were elected, the Returning Officer had arrived at the office as early as 8:30 am; however, when Congress leaders and MLAs sat in protest outside the Election Commission office in Bhopal against the rejection of the nomination, no cognizance was taken, and they were told that the Returning Officer would meet them at 11 am. He described this attitude of the Returning Officer as a blot on democracy. A Congress delegation led by K C Venugopal had also visited the Central Election Commission office in Delhi regarding this matter; despite submitting a formal representation, no action was taken, nor were any directives issued. This entire attitude serves to undermine democracy.

 

Leader of the Opposition Umang Singhar stated that in Form-26 that no such criminal case applied to her, as the court had not even taken cognizance of the legal notice being referred to. He noted that Form-26 did not contain any column requiring the disclosure of information regarding private complaints. Had there been any such provision or column, that information would certainly have been provided. He asserted that it is abundantly clear there were no deficiencies in the nomination form, nor was any requested information withheld. All information required under Form-26 was submitted with complete transparency.