Congress Protests Against Cancellation of Meenakshi Natarajan's Rajya Sabha Nomination

The cancellation of the nomination of Congress Rajya Sabha candidate from Madhya Pradesh, Meenakshi Natarajan, deepened a political row on Tuesday. Several senior Congress leaders reached the Election Commission of India (ECI) office in New Delhi to protest against the decision. Congress leaders accused the BJP of a political conspiracy, calling it an attack on democracy. Congress general secretaries Jairam Ramesh, KC Venugopal, Bhupesh Baghel and Sachin Pilot reached the ECI office. Pictures of Jairam Ramesh being stopped from entering the commission office premises also surfaced. Before leaving for the commission, Congress general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal strongly criticised the decision, saying, "Democracy has been murdered." He alleged that the BJP is destroying the democratic process. The Congress alleged that the BJP has now gone beyond stealing votes to stealing seats. Congress leaders accused the BJP of stealing Rajya Sabha seats in Madhya Pradesh. Congress leaders met senior ECI officials at 9 pm to press their objections and demands.