. BHOPAL: Congress candidate Meenakshi Natarajan’s nomination for the June 18 Rajya Sabha polls in MP was rejected Tuesday after scrutiny, turning election arithmetic on its head as BJP closed in on winning all three seats unopposed. Returning officer A P Singh rejected the nomination after BJP objected that Natarajan failed to disclose details of a pending case in Telangana.Congress branded the move “illegal” and alleged BJP had engineered a “constitutional conspiracy” to grab a third RS seat despite lacking numbers. Under election law, EC cannot overturn a returning officer’s decision during scrutiny.The stakes had already been running high after BJP sprang a surprise by fielding Mahesh Kewat as a third candidate. BJP, with 164 MLAs in the 230-member assembly, is comfortably placed to bag two seats. A candidate needs 58 votes to win, leaving Kewat dependent on surplus votes, cross-voting or abstentions.Natarajan was given a chance to furnish missing details, she didn’t do so: OfficialsNatarajan said, “BJP fielded a third candidate without adequate votes and we knew hurdles would be created.” She said, “First, they are stealing votes through SIR, now they are stealing seats. We will fight this battle through every democratic and constitutional forum available.”Unless Congress secures urgent relief from EC or Supreme Court, the contest now effectively stands reduced to three BJP candidates for three vacancies — setting the stage for an unopposed sweep in MP.Officials said that Meenakshi Natarajan was given an opportunity to furnish missing details but failed to do so, prompting rejection through a reasoned order.Congress disputed that interpretation. “The matter relates to BNS Section 223 concerning intentional disobedience of a lawful order by a public servant. It is not a criminal case in the conventional sense,” Congress legal cell representative Ajay Gupta said. “There was no requirement to disclose it under prescribed norms.”Gupta said the party would challenge the rejection before appropriate legal forums, including EC and SC.Congress fumes as Natarajan’s RS nomination nixed, BJP close to winning all 3 in MPBJP countered that RO had merely followed law and SC guidelines on disclosure of pending criminal matters. “Apart from an FIR, if a court summons has been issued in a criminal matter, declaration is compulsory,” BJP legal cell member Sanket Gupta said. “She can’t claim ignorance because she herself responded to the notice issued by a Hyderabad court.”Read the latest news on the go. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia’s Nuclear Posture Shifts As SIPRI Flags Deployment Of 12 Warheads | WatchCongress Alleges EC Blocked Delegation Amid Meenakshi Natarajan Rajya Sabha Nomination Row | WatchCongress Candidate Meenakshi Natarajan’s Rajya Sabha Nomination Rejected In MPCID Searches TMC Offices In Kolkata As Abhishek Faces Third Summons In Signature Forgery ProbeHorse-Trading Fears Trigger Congress Move As MP MLAs Fly To Bengaluru Before VotingInside TMC Turmoil: MPs Revolt, Leaders Resign and NDA aims at powerKalyan Banerjee, Kirti Azad Attack TMC Rebels As Party Faces Biggest Split YetWhy The Centre Lifted Lakshadweep’s 47-Year Liquor Ban: ExplainedPoK Unrest Deepens: Protesters Allege Crackdown, Casualties And BlackoutTMC Crisis Deepens As CID Probes Alleged Fake Signatures In LoP Selection Case | Watch123PhotostoriesFrom growing up amid curfews in Kashmir to earning Rs 2.5 lakh a day: When Aly Goni spoke about his struggles and journey in TV IndustryThis bridge in New York once hosted 21 elephants; 5 interesting things to knowTimes ‘Peddi’ star Ram Charan proved to be a family man: ‘I don’t want to miss a single moment with my daughter, Klin’London’s Billionaire Street: 5 most expensive real estate addresses attracting the world’s wealthiest buyers5 brain tumour myths that experts wish people would stop believingLewis Hamilton’s luxury sneaker collection:A look at the F1 star’s footwear obsessionFrom Aamir Khan to Lalit Modi: 10 famous personalities who fell in love with their long-time friendsIndian history and mythology to native language: 6 meaningful ways to connect children with indian heritage5 countries where tipping is considered rudeFrom ‘Om Shanti Om’, ‘Dear Zindagi’ to Yale University: Shah Rukh Khan’s most inspiring quotes that will change your outlook on life123Hot PicksCUET UG 2026 Answer KeyNFL Trade RumorsMamata BanerjeeMathew BarzalSwapnil SrivastavDana WhiteBrock LesnarTom Brady and Gisele Bündchen DivorcePoK ProtestsTop TrendingBAN vs AUS Live ScoreUS Iran warGold Rate TodayFIFA World Cup 2026Driving Licence ValidityChennai TNSTC BusGautam PatelDU Professor Murder CaseVisakhapatnam Steel Plant AccidentCBSE Class 12 re-evaluation
BHOPAL: Congress candidate Meenakshi Natarajan’s nomination for the June 18 Rajya Sabha polls in MP was rejected Tuesday after scrutiny, turning election arithmetic on its head as BJP closed in on winning all three seats unopposed. Returning officer A P Singh rejected the nomination after BJP objected that Natarajan failed to disclose details of a pending case in Telangana.Congress branded the move “illegal” and alleged BJP had engineered a “constitutional conspiracy” to grab a third RS seat despite lacking numbers. Under election law, EC cannot overturn a returning officer’s decision during scrutiny.The stakes had already been running high after BJP sprang a surprise by fielding Mahesh Kewat as a third candidate. BJP, with 164 MLAs in the 230-member assembly, is comfortably placed to bag two seats. A candidate needs 58 votes to win, leaving Kewat dependent on surplus votes, cross-voting or abstentions.
Natarajan was given a chance to furnish missing details, she didn’t do so: Officials
Natarajan said, “BJP fielded a third candidate without adequate votes and we knew hurdles would be created.” She said, “First, they are stealing votes through SIR, now they are stealing seats. We will fight this battle through every democratic and constitutional forum available.”Unless Congress secures urgent relief from EC or Supreme Court, the contest now effectively stands reduced to three BJP candidates for three vacancies — setting the stage for an unopposed sweep in MP.Officials said that Meenakshi Natarajan was given an opportunity to furnish missing details but failed to do so, prompting rejection through a reasoned order.Congress disputed that interpretation. “The matter relates to BNS Section 223 concerning intentional disobedience of a lawful order by a public servant. It is not a criminal case in the conventional sense,” Congress legal cell representative Ajay Gupta said. “There was no requirement to disclose it under prescribed norms.”Gupta said the party would challenge the rejection before appropriate legal forums, including EC and SC.Congress fumes as Natarajan’s RS nomination nixed, BJP close to winning all 3 in MPBJP countered that RO had merely followed law and SC guidelines on disclosure of pending criminal matters. “Apart from an FIR, if a court summons has been issued in a criminal matter, declaration is compulsory,” BJP legal cell member Sanket Gupta said. “She can’t claim ignorance because she herself responded to the notice issued by a Hyderabad court.”
