Cong projects unity ahead of RS polls, MLAs back Natarajan

Bhopal: Ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections in Madhya Pradesh, the Congress on Saturday sought to project unity by holding a meeting of its MLAs and senior leaders at the party headquarters in Bhopal in support of party candidate Meenakshi Natarajan, who is likely to file her nomination papers on Monday.The meeting, attended by AICC in-charge Harish Chaudhary, MP Congress chief Jitu Patwari, leader of opposition Umang Singhar, senior leaders and party MLAs, focused on poll strategy and ensuring cohesion within the legislative party. Senior Congress leaders Kamal Nath and Digvijaya Singh also joined the meeting virtually.Addressing the media after the meeting, Singhar dismissed speculation of dissent within the party and asserted that all Congress MLAs were united behind Natarajan's candidature. He also claimed that even if the BJP fields a third candidate, Congress would win the election comfortably with the support of its legislators.Patwari described Natarajan as a strong representative of Gandhian ideology and said the party fielded her to strengthen issues related to women's empowerment, clean politics and constitutional values. He said the Rajya Sabha election was "not just about one seat, but a fight for democratic values and constitutional institutions".Natarajan thanked Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and the state leadership for reposing faith in her. Recalling her political journey from NSUI to Parliament, she said she would work with "full commitment and dedication" to uphold the party's ideology and protect constitutional values.The Congress leadership used the occasion to send out a message that the party remained united in Madhya Pradesh ahead of the Rajya Sabha contest.