CONGRESS leader Meenakshi Natarajan has challenged the Rajya Sabha election result in the Madhya Pradesh High Court. Speaking to mediapersons during her visit to Jabalpur on Tuesday, Natarajan said she has filed an election petition within the prescribed 45-day time limit. She expressed hope that the matter would come up for hearing soon. Natarajan said the Election Commission official had wrongly rejected her election claim. She alleged that her objection was dismissed on the basis of an issue that was never even taken into consideration. She maintained that the decision was unjustified. She said she has full faith in the judiciary and is confident that the High Court will deliver justice. It may be noted that the Congress had fielded Meenakshi Natarajan as its candidate for the third Rajya Sabha seat from Madhya Pradesh. As per the information, the party had the required numerical strength to support her candidature.

 

However, her nomination paper was rejected on June 9. Natarajan had earlier challenged the rejection of her nomination before the Supreme Court. The Apex court dismissed the petition, observing that the matter could not be heard through a writ petition. The court advised her to file an election petition if she wished to challenge the decision. Referring to the incident at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Monday, Natarajan strongly criticised the Government. She termed it as a black day in the country’s history. She accused the Government of trying to suppress public protest. Natarajan said the country’s youth were not fighting against the nation but were raising their voice in the national interest. She termed the alleged lathi-charge on students highly condemnable. She further said that, just like during the freedom movement, young people are once again fighting for their rights. She added that the time has come for the Government’s words and actions to be judged by the people.