BJP wins all 3 Rajya Sabha seats unopposed in MP:EC silent on Natarajan’s nomination rejection; SC to hear plea on Friday

The BJP has secured all three Rajya Sabha seats from Madhya Pradesh after Congress candidate Meenakshi Natarajan’s nomination was rejected. Returning Officer Arvind Sharma handed certificates of election to Rajneesh Agrawal, Tarun Chugh and Mahesh Kewat on Thursday afternoon. Earlier, the Supreme Court deferred hearing Congress’ plea against the rejection of Natarajan’s nomination until Friday. The Election Commission has also not issued any decision on the matter, effectively clearing the way for BJP’s victory. During the hearing, Congress counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi urged the court to take up the matter immediately, arguing that the deadline for withdrawal of nominations was 3 pm on Thursday. The Election Commission said it had not received a copy of the petition and required time to examine it. Singhvi requested that the results not be declared until the hearing, but the court adjourned the matter to Friday, noting that the legal position in such cases was already settled. Congress has accused the Returning Officer of acting illegally, arbitrarily and in a biased manner. Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar questioned why the Election Commission had not intervened, alleging that it had done so in similar cases in other states. Natarajan’s nomination was rejected during scrutiny on June 9 after BJP leaders objected that she had failed to disclose a pending legal matter in Telangana in her election affidavit. Congress maintains that the matter was only a show-cause notice and not a criminal case requiring disclosure. According to former Chief Election Commissioner OP Rawat, the Election Commission could still restore the nomination if it finds an error in the Returning Officer’s decision, which would revive the contest and require voting. If no relief is granted, BJP’s candidates will remain elected unopposed. Congress has also raised the issue with the President, though constitutional experts note that the President cannot directly overturn decisions taken by election authorities.