The electrophile, ${\text{E}}^{+}$, attacks the benzene ring to generate the intermediate $\sigma$ -complex. Of the following, which $\sigma$ -complex is of lowest energy?

The $-{\text{NO}}_2$ group is a strong electron-withdrawing group ($-I$ and $-M$ effects). It destabilizes the $\sigma$ -complex (carbocation) by withdrawing electron density.The $\sigma$ -complex is of lowest energy when the destabilizing effect of the $-{\text{NO}}_2$ group is minimized. This occurs when the positive charge is not directly on the carbon atom bearing the $-{\text{NO}}_2$ group.In the meta-attack or when the charge is distributed away from the nitro group, the system is relatively more stable compared to ortho/para intermediates where the positive charge resides on the carbon attached to the nitro group.