New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to interfere with the ongoing Rajya Sabha election process in Madhya Pradesh and declined to grant any interim relief that could delay the declaration of results.
The development came after senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Congress leader Meenakshi Natarajan, mentioned the matter before the apex court and sought urgent intervention. Natarajan has challenged the rejection of her nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha elections in the state.
According to advocate Sanket Gupta, representing BJP Rajya Sabha candidate Mahesh Kevat, the court made it clear that it would not stall the electoral process at this stage. However, the bench agreed to hear Natarajan’s petition on June 12.
Speaking to reporters, Gupta said the court declined requests for any interim stay and maintained its long-standing position of avoiding interference in elections that are already underway.
Natarajan has approached the Supreme Court alleging that the Returning Officer acted arbitrarily and unlawfully while rejecting her nomination. Her petition seeks the cancellation of the Returning Officer’s decision and restoration of her candidature.
The controversy has intensified political tensions in Madhya Pradesh. On Wednesday, a Congress delegation met Election Commission officials in New Delhi to protest the rejection of Natarajan’s nomination papers.
Congress leader and senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi argued that the rejection was contrary to the provisions of the Representation of the People Act. He contended that the criminal case cited against Natarajan had not reached the stage where disclosure would legally warrant rejection of her nomination.
The Congress has described the move as a political attempt to ensure that all three Rajya Sabha seats from Madhya Pradesh go to the BJP. The ruling party, however, has defended the decision and questioned Natarajan over the alleged non-disclosure of relevant information in her nomination documents.
The Supreme Court is expected to take up the matter for detailed hearing on Friday. :::
