Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi, MP from Wayanad, Kerala, has been disqualified as Lok Sabha MP with effect from the date of his conviction in the criminal defamation case over his "Modi surname" remark, March 23.
"Consequent upon his conviction by the Court of Judicial Magistrate, Surat in CC/18712/2019, 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., March 23, 2023 in terms of the provisions of Article 102 (1)(e) of the Constitution of India read with Section 8 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951," the Lok Sabha Secretariat notified on Friday.
Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi said in a tweet that he is ready to pay any cost as he is fighting for the "voice of India".
"I am fighting for the voice of India. I am ready to pay any cost," Rahul Gandhi tweeted in Hindi.
"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," Congress party general secretary in-charge (Communications) Jairam Ramesh tweeted.
"9 days after @RahulGandhi's Adani speech in LS on Feb 7th, the defamation case against him gets fast tracked by the complainant withdrawing his own stay in the HC on 16th Feb. On 27th Feb arguments resume after 1 year.17th March judgement reserved. This is no coincidence," Jairam Ramesh said in another tweet.
Terming it a "black day" for Indian democracy, Congress spokesperson KC Venugopal said the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi as an MP is the final nail in the coffin.
"Shri @RahulGandhi ji's disqualification is the final nail in the coffin. This is a black day for Indian democracy. It is a well-orchestrated move of the Modi govt. to silence his voice in Parliament. We will fight this legally & politically on every front, the truth will prevail," KC Venugopal tweeted.
"Under the Modi Raj, even protesting outside Parliament is a crime. Delhi Police has detained opposition MPs, as we took a march towards the Rashtrapati Bhavan to reiterate our demand for a JPC on the Adani Mega Scam. They will not succeed in shaking our resolve," Venugopal said in another 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," Shashi Tharoor also tweeted.
