Congress sets up panel to probe Meenakshi Natarajan Rajya Sabha nomination rejection
HYDERABAD: The All India Congress Committee (AICC) has constituted a special committee to examine the circumstances that led to the rejection of senior Congress leader Meenakshi Natarajan’s Rajya Sabha nomination.
Natarajan’s nomination from Bhopal was rejected by the Returning Officer on the grounds that details relating to a pending complaint had not been disclosed. The development resulted in the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Mahesh Kewat being elected unopposed.
Congress leaders have maintained that no criminal case or First Information Report (FIR) existed against Natarajan in Telangana and described the matter as a complaint rather than a registered case.
According to party sources, meetings were held in New Delhi and Hyderabad on Thursday to review the episode. Sources said the discussions pointed to what was described as a “serious breach of internal discipline” within the organisation.
Late on Thursday, the Congress announced that Natarajan had been assigned the additional responsibility of AICC observer for Punjab.
Supreme Court hearing awaited
The matter is also expected to be heard by the Supreme Court.
A senior Congress leader said the party was examining how information related to the complaint surfaced during the nomination process.
“There was no FIR and no case. It was only a complaint. At the last minute, it was projected as a major issue. Party leaders are trying to understand how the information emerged and who may have been involved,” the leader said.
Natarajan is considered a close choice of Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. The episode has intensified discussions within the Congress regarding organisational functioning in Telangana, party sources said.
Telangana unit faces scrutiny
Sources indicated that Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee president Mahesh Kumar Goud is among those whose handling of organisational affairs is being reviewed.
Party leaders said the Congress was considering strengthening its state organisation and reviewing leadership structures across departments.
The developments have also revived discussions on factionalism within the party, particularly in Khammam district, which is represented by two Cabinet ministers and a deputy chief minister.
According to sources, organisational and administrative changes are being examined as part of a broader effort to improve coordination and governance.
Cabinet changes likely
Congress sources said a review of ministerial performance has already been undertaken and that changes in the Cabinet, along with a reshuffle of portfolios, are under consideration.
The exercise is expected to take into account demands for greater representation of Backward Classes (BCs) in the government.
A senior party leader alleged that concerns had been raised over the influence of certain business groups associated with some leaders. The party is examining whether such networks contributed to information leaks that may have affected the Natarajan nomination process, the leader claimed.
Sources also indicated that efforts were underway to accommodate senior leaders awaiting organisational or government roles, including Komatireddy Raj Gopal Reddy.
At the same time, a section of ministers and party functionaries is unlikely to face immediate action, with the leadership opting to monitor their performance before taking any decisions.
Party leaders said future changes would be driven directly by the Congress high command in New Delhi.
The rejection of Natarajan’s nomination has brought Telangana Congress politics under renewed scrutiny and could lead to organisational and governmental changes in the coming weeks.
