New Delhi: Political tensions between the Congress and the central government have escalated after the rejection of Congress candidate Meenakshi Natarajan’s nomination for the Rajya Sabha election from Madhya Pradesh.
Protesting the decision, senior Congress leaders gathered outside the Election Commission of India’s office in New Delhi on Tuesday evening and demanded a review of the rejection.
During the protest, an argument reportedly broke out between Congress communication department head Jairam Ramesh and security personnel after some party leaders were stopped from entering the Election Commission premises. Officials said prior permission had not been granted for the protest.
Democracy cannot survive when constitutional institutions are reduced to instruments of political convenience.
The rejection of Congress Rajya Sabha candidate Meenakshi Natarajan ji's nomination from Madhya Pradesh raises serious questions about the fairness of our democratic… pic.twitter.com/E3BOYFo8CE
— Congress (@INCIndia) June 9, 2026
Several senior Congress leaders, including AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal, former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and Sachin Pilot, took part in the demonstration.
Addressing the protesters, Venugopal said the issue was directly linked to democratic principles. “We have sought an appointment with the Election Commission, but we are not being allowed to meet them. We want justice. If required, we will approach the court,” he said.
Sachin Pilot alleged that there was no FIR or chargesheet against Meenakshi Natarajan and questioned the grounds on which her nomination was rejected.
At 7:25 PM, we submitted a letter to the Election Commission of India seeking an appointment with the Election Commission to file a complaint.
Even after 40 minutes, we are not being allowed to meet them.
What is happening in this country? Is this a banana republic? We need… pic.twitter.com/1i1ePFoXbe
— Congress (@INCIndia) June 9, 2026
“There was no valid reason for rejecting the nomination. This decision has come at a time when the Congress was in a favourable position to win,” Pilot said.
The Congress has demanded a detailed explanation from the Election Commission regarding the rejection of the nomination, triggering a fresh political controversy ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections.
