Party leaders submit application against cancellation of Meenakshi Natarajan's Rajya Sabha bid, vow to move Supreme Court

In a dramatic late-night protest, senior Congress leaders led by former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel sat on a dharna outside the Election Commission office in Delhi on Tuesday, protesting the rejection of party candidate Meenakshi Natarajan's nomination for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections from Madhya Pradesh.

The protest, which stretched past midnight, saw the presence of prominent faces including Sachin Pilot, K C Venugopal, and Jairam Ramesh.

Late-Night Protest Outside EC

Baghel and other leaders arrived at the commission's office around evening hours, only to find the premises closed. Unwilling to wait until morning, they chose to stage a sit-in demonstration.

"Returning officer in Madhya Pradesh had given a hearing time of 5:30 PM. At that very time, the office shut down. Where do we submit our application against the decision to reject Meenakshi Natarajan's nomination?" Baghel said from the protest site.

He added that an office clerk eventually accepted their application after they sat on dharna. "Only after we submit our formal application will the path open to approach the court," the Congress leader explained.

What Sparked the Row

The Madhya Pradesh returning officer Arvind Sharma on Tuesday rejected Natarajan's nomination papers following objections raised by the BJP. According to political observers, with this rejection, all three Rajya Sabha seats from the state now have BJP candidates heading for unopposed election.

The BJP had alleged that Natarajan suppressed information about a pending case in a Hyderabad court while filing her nomination papers. The returning officer issued a show-cause notice, seeking a response by 5:30 PM Tuesday. Not satisfied with the Congress candidate's reply, the officer proceeded to cancel the nomination.

 Congress Alleges Conspiracy

Party leaders have accused the Election Commission of functioning under pressure from the ruling BJP. "The nomination cancellation is wrong and amounts to a political conspiracy," Baghel asserted.

Congress sources indicated that the party is preparing to challenge the decision in the Supreme Court. Their argument rests on the nature of the pending matter – party leaders claim it is not even a criminal case where the court has taken cognizance.

Three BJP Candidates Now in Fray

The election for three Rajya Sabha seats from Madhya Pradesh is scheduled for June 18. Initially, four candidates were in the running – three from the BJP and Natarajan from Congress. With her nomination struck down, only three candidates remain in the contest, all belonging to the BJP.

Ahead of the polls, the Congress had already shifted nearly 48 of its party MLAs to Bengaluru in an apparent bid to prevent poaching attempts.

Party leaders say they will continue pressing the Election Commission and are exploring all legal options available. The coming days will determine whether the matter reaches the Supreme Court and if the Congress nominee can secure any relief before the June 18 polling date.

Tamil Nadu witnessed brisk polling on Thursday as voting for all 234 Assembly constituencies progressed in a single phase. According to official data, voter turnout reached 37.56 per cent by 11 am and climbed to 56.81 per cent by 1 pm, indicating steady participation across urban and rural pockets.

Polling began at 7 am under tight security arrangements, with authorities deploying extensive personnel to ensure smooth conduct. The Tamil Nadu Assembly Election Live updates suggest a largely peaceful process, with only minor logistical issues reported in isolated areas.

Strong Voter Turnout

Election officials said the turnout trend reflects sustained voter enthusiasm. Several districts recorded higher-than-expected participation in the early hours, particularly in southern and western regions.

Queues were seen outside polling booths from early morning, with elderly voters, women and first-time electors turning up in significant numbers. Officials indicated that the turnout could rise further as evening polling continues.

Celebrities Cast Votes

Prominent personalities from the film industry and politics also exercised their franchise during the day. Actor Arjun Sarja, after casting his vote, urged elected representatives to honour their promises.

“Whoever wins should fulfil the commitments made to the people,” he said, echoing a sentiment widely shared among voters.

Tech Innovation at Booths

In a unique development, a government arts college in Coimbatore deployed a robot to welcome voters at a polling station. The robot greeted visitors and distributed sweets, drawing attention on social media.

According to local reports, the device was developed by a student using voice processing and remote-control technology, showcasing innovation amid the democratic exercise.

Vigil on Fake Voting

Amid concerns over bogus voting, DMK leader TKS Elangovan said strict monitoring mechanisms were in place. He stated that voters must present valid identification and booth slips to cast their vote.

“Officials and polling agents are closely watching every booth. Only genuine voters are being allowed,” he said, dismissing allegations of irregularities. Election authorities have also installed surveillance systems and deployed multiple agents per booth to prevent malpractice.

Unique Voter Stories

The polling day also saw moments reflecting public commitment to democracy. In Kanchipuram, a newly married couple arrived at a polling booth shortly after completing their wedding rituals.

Visuals of the groom and bride in traditional attire casting their votes quickly went viral, symbolising civic responsibility taking precedence even on personal milestones.

Background and Stakes

Tamil Nadu remains a key political battleground with major parties contesting fiercely for control of the state Assembly. The single-phase election aims to determine the leadership for the next five years.

The Election Commission had intensified voter awareness campaigns in recent weeks, encouraging maximum participation. Issues such as governance, welfare schemes, employment and infrastructure have dominated the campaign discourse.

What Lies Ahead

Polling will continue till evening, after which electronic voting machines will be sealed and secured under strict supervision. Counting of votes is scheduled for May 4, when the final outcome will be declared.