BJP Blames Congress Over Natarajan’s Nomination Rejection, Calls It a Party Problem

New Delhi – In a blunt statement that rippled through the political corridors, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has called the Congress’s decision to reject Natarajan’s nomination a clear sign of the party’s own woes. Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, senior BJP leader Arvind Sharma said the move underscores “a deeper malaise” inside the opposition house.

“When you turn away a capable candidate like Natarajan, you’re not just losing a seat; you’re exposing the cracks in your own structure,” Sharma remarked, pausing briefly as reporters scribbled notes. He added that the rejection was not merely an administrative hiccup but a “problem that the Congress must own up to.”

The backdrop to this outburst is a pending by‑election in the coastal district of Kadalpur, where the BJP is hoping to capitalize on what it sees as a weakening Congress base. Natarajan, a former municipal councilor with a reputation for grassroots work, was slated to run under the Congress banner after being cleared by the party’s state committee.

However, last week, the central election office denied his nomination, citing an alleged technical irregularity in his affidavit. While the Congress claimed the decision was procedural, critics within the party suggested internal factionalism may have played a role.

Congress spokesperson Meera Joshi defended the party, insisting the rejection was “strictly procedural” and that the leadership would field another qualified candidate. Yet, she avoided addressing the simmering rumors of intra‑party disputes that have been swirling for months.

Political analysts see this episode as a micro‑cosm of the larger challenges facing the Congress. “It’s not just about one nomination,” says Dr. Anil Mehta, a professor of political science at Delhi University. “The party is wrestling with leadership vacuum, candidate selection fatigue, and a lack of clear messaging. All of that shows up in moments like this.”

Meanwhile, the BJP is seizing the moment, promising to field a fresh face who, according to Sharma, “won’t be held back by bureaucratic red‑tape or internal politics.” The party’s local unit has already begun door‑to‑door campaigns, hoping to turn the perceived misstep into a voter‑winning advantage.

As the election date approaches, both parties are gearing up for a hard‑fought battle. Whether the Congress can recover from this nomination setback remains to be seen, but the BJP’s criticism is likely to stay in the headlines, adding another layer of drama to an already charged political season.