Bhopal, Jun 10 (PTI) Congress leaders and MLAs on Wednesday staged a hunger strike protest against the rejection of the party leader Meenakshi Natarajan’s nomination for Rajya Sabha polls from Madhya Pradesh, dubbing it a coordinated conspiracy under pressure from the BJP government.
Senior leaders and legislators joined the demonstration at Roshanpura Square led by MP unit president Jitu Patwari.
Patwari thanked all MLAs in the “Congress family for not bowing down to the BJP’s money power or the pressure exerted by agencies”.
“For this very reason, the BJP was ultimately forced to set the Constitution aside and have our nomination rejected. This unity will oust the BJP from Madhya Pradesh. The entire state has witnessed the outrage committed against democracy by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav,” he said.
He dared Yadav to contest the next election from the latter’s home turf, Ujjain, “otherwise, people won’t allow you to reach Bhopal, let alone sit in the opposition.” The June 18 elections for three Rajya Sabha seats in Madhya Pradesh took a dramatic turn on Tuesday when Natarajan’s nomination was rejected on charges of concealing information in the affidavit on a complaint filed by her challenger for the third seat, Mahesh Kewat of the BJP.
An order issued by Rajya Sabha Election Returning Officer Arvind Sharma stated that, after examining the available documents, it was found that Natarajan had submitted an incomplete affidavit, omitting a court complaint in Form 26 submitted with her nomination.
Patwari announced to intensify the protest against the “BJP’s assault on democracy”.
“Over the next month, Madhya Pradesh Congress will lay siege to BJP offices in all districts and the Chief Minister’s residence in Bhopal. We will march to Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi with all MLAs,” he added.
Leader of the Opposition Umang Singhar said the rejection of Natarajan’s nomination was a coordinated conspiracy under pressure from the BJP government, which raises serious questions regarding upholding democratic values, Constitutional propriety, and the fairness of the electoral process.
Congress general secretary in charge of Madhya Pradesh, Harish Chaudhary, echoed Singhar.
“The Returning Officer rejected Natarajan’s nomination as part of a well-planned conspiracy. This development has dealt a severe blow to democratic values and Constitutional propriety,” he said.
Senior leaders, including Digvijaya Singh, termed it as a severe blow to democratic values and the spirit of the Constitution.
“The Congress party has consistently fought to protect democracy, uphold the voice of the people, and maintain the dignity of constitutional institutions. We will continue this struggle at every level. Every Congress worker will stand united to fight among the people against this injustice inflicted upon democracy,” Singh said.
Former Union minister Arun Yadav, CWC member Kamleshwar Patel, former ministers, Adivasi Congress national president Vikrant Bhuria and others were present on the occasion. PTI MAS NSK
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