New Delhi, Jun 17 (PTI) The Rajiv Gandhi Panchayati Raj Sangathan and the Indian Youth Congress on Wednesday held a ‘Charkha Satyagraha’ against the rejection of Congress leader Meenakshi Natarajan’s nomination for the Rajya Sabha elections in Madhya Pradesh.
They alleged that the rejection of Natarajan’s Rajya Sabha nomination was an attack on democracy and demanded free and fair elections.
Participating in the protest, IYC president Uday Bhanu Chib alleged that Natarajan’s nomination had been cancelled without valid grounds and described the development as a misuse of institutions to undermine democratic principles.
“The country’s law and order system and institutions have been compromised. The cancellation of Meenakshi Natarajan’s election clearly shows how democracy is being undermined through the misuse of the entire state machinery.
“She was a consistent voice. Her nomination was cancelled because those in power were afraid of her. We strongly condemn this decision,” Chib said.
He further alleged that the issue was part of a broader pattern of institutional compromise in the country.
“What is happening today is reflected in issues such as the NEET paper leak, rising fuel prices and rampant unemployment. There are serious concerns about the functioning and credibility of institutions, including the justice delivery system. These developments raise troubling questions about the state of democracy in the country,” Chib claimed.
In a post on X, the IYC said the struggle to save democracy, the Constitution and democratic rights would continue.
“The struggle to save democracy and the Constitution, and against election and seat theft, continues. Today, IYC president, in support of Meenakshi Natarajan’s satyagraha, raised serious questions about the functioning of the Election Commission and raised his voice against alleged vote theft, seat theft, and the looting of the people’s mandate,” the organisation said.
The upcoming elections to three Rajya Sabha seats in Madhya Pradesh took a dramatic turn on June 9 with the nomination of Natarajan being rejected on charges of concealing information about a case in the affidavit.
The action followed a complaint submitted by BJP candidate Mahesh Kewat, who is contesting the third Rajya Sabha seat, to the returning officer alleging that Natarajan deliberately concealed information about a case registered against her in Telangana.
Earlier, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged that after “vote chori” and “sarkar chori”, the BJP had now indulged in “seat chori” in the Rajya Sabha elections and claimed that the ruling party’s “jugalbandi” with the Election Commission had ended the contest before it began. PTI MSJ MSJ KSS KSS
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