Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi was disqualified from Lok Sabha on Friday, a day after he was convicted by a Surat court in a 2019 criminal defamation case.
As per PTI report, Announcing his disqualification, the Lok Sabha Secretariat in a notification said that it was effective from March 23, the day of his conviction.
“Consequent upon his conviction by the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Surat…Rahul Gandhi, Member of Lok Sabha representing the Wayanad Parliamentary Constituency of Kerala stands disqualified from the membership of Lok Sabha from the date of his conviction i.e. 23 March, 2023,” the notification read.
The court in Surat sentenced on Thursday Rahul Gandhi to two years in jail in a defamation case, filed on a complaint by BJP MLA Purnesh Modi for his alleged remark, “How come all thieves have Modi as the common surname?” Following his disqualification, Rahul Gandhi would not be able to contest elections for eight years unless a higher court stays his conviction and sentence.
Reacting to Gandhi’s disqualification, the Congress said it will fight the battle both “legally and politically”.
“We will not be intimidated or silenced. Instead of a JPC into the PM-linked Adani MahaMegaScam Rahul Gandhi stands disqualified. Indian Democracy Om Shanti,” Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said in a tweet.
We will fight this battle both legally and politically. We will not be intimidated or silenced. Instead of a JPC into the PM-linked Adani MahaMegaScam, @RahulGandhi stands disqualified. Indian Democracy Om Shanti. pic.twitter.com/d8GmZjUqd5
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) March 24, 2023
Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said he was stunned by the action against Gandhi and by its rapidity. “This is politics with the gloves off and it bodes ill for our democracy,” Tharoor said in a tweet.
I’m stunned by this action and by its rapidity, within 24 hours of the court verdict and while an appeal was known to be in process. This is politics with the gloves off and it bodes ill for our democracy. pic.twitter.com/IhUVHN3b1F
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) March 24, 2023
In PM Modi’s New India, Opposition leaders have become the prime target of BJP! While BJP leaders with criminal antecedents are inducted into the cabinet, Opposition leaders are disqualified for their speeches. Today, we have witnessed a new low for our constitutional democracy, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee tweeted
In PM Modi’s New India, Opposition leaders have become the prime target of BJP!
While BJP leaders with criminal antecedents are inducted into the cabinet, Opposition leaders are disqualified for their speeches.
Today, we have witnessed a new low for our constitutional democracy
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) March 24, 2023
The country is witnessing politics of vendetta being spearheaded by the Modi Govt against #RahulGandhi. It is a sheer case of retributive politics because Rahul Gandhi has been gaining popularity, especially in the wake of Bharat Jodo Yatra which was not digested by Modi Govt. This is a very cruel demonstration of an autocratic Govt, Leader of Congress In Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury
They (BJP) tried all ways to disqualify him. They don’t want to keep those who are speaking the truth but we will continue to speak the truth.We’ll continue to demand JPC,if needed we’ll go to jail to save democracy said Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge
RahulGandhi’s candidacy has been cancelled. Calling a thief, a thief has become a crime in our country. Thieves & looters are still free & Rahul Gandhi was punished. This is a direct murder of democracy. All govt systems are under pressure. This is the beginning of the end of dictatorship. Only the fight has to be given direction, Former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray was quoted as saying.
Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole said , “We condemn the way in which Rahul Gandhi is disqualified…On the basis of Surat Court verdict, under Modi Govt’s pressure, Lok Sabha disqualified him…If action is taken on calling someone “chor”, we’ll call them “daaku.”
TMC MP Mahua Moitra tweeted,
The AITC strongly condemn the developments that have unfolded. @RahulGandhi ‘s disqualification is the last nail in the coffin for constitutional freedoms in India.
— Mahua Moitra (@MahuaMoitra) March 24, 2023
