New Delhi/Bhopal, June 11 (IANS) The Congress on Thursday intensified its attack on the Election Commission (EC) over the rejection of senior leader Meenakshi Natarajan’s nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha election in Madhya Pradesh, alleging bias in favour of the ruling BJP and questioning the poll body’s neutrality.

Leading the opposition’s charge, Leader of Opposition (LoP) Umang Singhar said the Election Commission had failed to act fairly despite having the authority to intervene in the matter.

“The Election Commission’s stance regarding the serious issue concerning the nomination of Congress candidate Meenakshi Natarajan is extremely unfortunate and biased. Given that the Election Commission possesses special powers to intervene and make decisions, why was no timely decision taken on the Congress party’s objection?” Singhar said on Thursday.

The controversy erupted after the Returning Officer (RO) rejected Natarajan’s nomination papers on Tuesday (June 9), citing alleged non-disclosure of a pending court case in her election affidavit. The Congress has strongly contested the decision, claiming that all required information had been furnished, accusing the authorities of acting under political pressure.

On Wednesday, Congress workers and leaders staged protests outside Election Commission offices in Bhopal and several district headquarters across Madhya Pradesh.

In a symbolic protest, party workers hung RSS uniforms outside the EC office, alleging ideological influence over independent constitutional institutions.

Congress leaders also held sit-in demonstrations and submitted memoranda demanding action by the Election Commission. The party alleged that constitutional bodies were not acting impartially and were favouring the BJP.

Meanwhile, the Congress has taken the legal route to challenge the rejection of Natarajan’s nomination. After approaching the Election Commission, the party and Natarajan have now moved the Supreme Court seeking relief in the matter.

Raising questions over the poll body’s conduct, Singhar said, “This issue is not merely about a single candidate; it concerns the nation’s democratic process and electoral impartiality. If the Election Commission disregards rules, laws and Supreme Court guidelines, it is only natural for questions to be raised about its impartiality.”

The BJP, however, has dismissed the allegations and maintained that the Returning Officer acted in accordance with election rules and established procedures.

The dispute has sparked a political confrontation in Madhya Pradesh ahead of the Rajya Sabha election, with the Congress portraying it as a challenge to the independence of democratic institutions while awaiting the Supreme Court’s intervention.

–IANS

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