Rahul Gandhi disqualified from Lok Sabha over Surat court’s conviction order

New Delhi : Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has been disqualified from the Lok Sabha following the Surat court convicting him in the criminal defamation case of 2019. In a notification issued by Lok Sabha Secretariat, Rahul Gandhi, representing the Wayanad Parliamentary Constituency of Kerala stands disqualified from the membership of Lok Sahba from the date of his conviction i.e March 23 in terms of the provision of Article 102(1) € of the constitution of India with section 8 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

Congress has called it a ‘conspiracy’ to silence the Wayanad MP, who has been questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s alleged relationship with billionaire industrialist Gautam Adani, whose business empire has come under scrutiny after allegations of stock manipulation and fraud, and demanding a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the issue.

Section 8(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, says that the moment a member of parliament is convicted of any offence and sentenced for at least two years, she or he attracts disqualification.

“Rahul Gandhi’s Lok Sabha membership has been terminated.He is constantly fighting for you and this country, from the streets to the Parliament, trying everything possible to save democracy.Despite every conspiracy, he will continue this fight at all costs and will take just action in this matter.The fight continues,” Congress said in a tweet in Hindi.

Senior Congress leader Manish Tewari called the decision erroneous. “Lok Sabha secretariat cannot disqualify an MP. The President has to do it in consultation with the Election Commission,” he told NDTV. Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot called it an example of “dictatorship”.

Shashi Tharoor, another senior Congress MP, said it bodes ill for democracy.”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,” he tweeted.

Congress groups from multiple states held simultaneous protests this morning, accusing the federal government of engaging in political vendetta. Protesters against the Surat court’s verdict against Mr. Gandhi were arrested in Karnataka, including the state president of the Congress party, DK Shivakumar.

Mallikarjun Kharge, president of the Congress party, said his party is investigating where the missing funds went, while the BJP is trying to deflect attention.

They are making derogatory comments about the lower social classes. The Congress has consistently supported and advocated on behalf of lower-income groups, minorities, and scheduled castes. Mr. Kharge remarked, “These Manu believers talk about the lower castes.

Jairam Ramesh, the general secretary of the Congress party, has also criticized BJP leader JP Nadda, accusing him of engaging in “politics of defamation” by distorting the truth.

On the complaint of BJP MLA Purnesh Modi, a court in Surat, Gujarat, yesterday handed Rahul Gandhi a two-year prison term for his alleged remark, “How come all thieves have the common surname of Modi?” In addition to bail, the judge put the sentence on hold for 30 days so he could file an appeal.

Now that the decision has been made, Rahul Gandhi can appeal it. Congress leaders have raised concerns about the legitimacy of the move, arguing that only the President, in consultation with the Election Commission, has the authority to disqualify members of parliament.

Rahul Gandhi will not be able to run for office again for eight years if the verdict is not overturned on appeal.