The Khairatabad (Hyderabad Central) District Congress Committee (DCC) staged a dharna at the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Statue at Liberty Circle on Wednesday, protesting against the rejection of Congress leader Meenakshi Natarajan’s Rajya Sabha nomination and demanding justice for her.Led by DCC president Motha Rohit Mudiraj, the protesters alleged that the nomination had been cancelled without valid grounds and described the development as an attack on democratic principles.Addressing the media, Mr. Rohit termed the rejection a ‘blatant attack on democracy’ and a ‘broad daylight murder of democracy’. He alleged that the Election Commission of India was functioning under the influence of the ruling BJP at the Centre.Telangana government Adviser V. Hanumantha Rao, who participated in the protest, strongly criticised the rejection of Ms. Natarajan’s nomination, describing it as unfair and calling the day a ‘dark day for democracy’. He questioned how a nomination could be rejected on the basis of a private complaint and alleged that independent institutions were increasingly becoming instruments of the BJP.Mr. Rao said Ms. Natarajan had not received any summons in connection with the case cited against her and questioned how she could have disclosed details in her affidavit if she was unaware of any such proceedings. He further alleged that the BJP was unable to tolerate the advancement of women in public life and accused it of targeting Ms. Natarajan.Meanwhile, TPCC Media Committee chairman Sama Ram Mohan Reddy alleged that the rejection of the nomination was part of a conspiracy involving the BJP and the Election Commission. Addressing a press conference at Gandhi Bhavan, he questioned whether a Returning Officer (RO) had the authority to reject a nomination on such grounds and claimed that the decision violated Supreme Court guidelines.He alleged that the nomination was rejected under pressure and asserted that the Congress would challenge the decision in the Supreme Court. Published - June 10, 2026 08:52 pm IST