‘Will Fight Legally’: Congress Fumes Over Rahul Gandhi’s Disqualification; Oppn Slams ‘New Low’

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification as a member of the Lok Sabha ignited an already explosive political showdown between the BJP and the Congress.

The disqualification notice comes a day after a Surat court found Rahul Gandhi guilty of defamation for a 2019 campaign trail remark on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s surname.

The grand old party immediately hit out at the ruling BJP and accused them of ‘intimidating’ the Congress. Mallikarjun Kharge responded to the disqualification notice and said, “Rahul Gandhi is targeted for speaking the truth. They are trying to create this perception about Rahul. What big crime did he commit?”

Congress said it would challenge the disqualification.

“The day Rahul Gandhi raised questions against Adani, PM, this type of conspiracy was started to silence Rahul Gandhi. It’s a clear case of anti-democratic, dictatorship attitude of BJP govt,” Congress MP KC Venugopal said.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi reacted to her brother Rahul’s Lok Sabha disqualification on Friday. Launching an attack on PM Modi, she said, “You call my family parivarvadi, but, this family watered India’s democracy with their blood,” she said.

“The blood that runs in our veins has one specialty… Never bowed down in front of a coward, power-hungry dictator like you and will never bow down. Do whatever you want,” she added.

Opposition Unity on Display

In a show of unity, several leaders from opposition parties hit out over the disqualification and expressed their support for Rahul Gandhi.

TMC supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted, “Opposition leaders have become the prime target of BJP!”

Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said, “This is the murder of democracy. Entire government machinery is under pressure. This is the beginning of the end of dictatorship. It has become a crime to call a thief a thief.”

Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi tweeted, “MP Vindictive and shameful action against Sh Rahul Gandhi. This disqualification yet again proves that we are living in the times of caged democracy.”

NCP Spokesperson Clyde Crasto tweeted, “Beginning of the downfall of the #BJP. #RahulGandhi will prove to be their Nemesis. More power to you Rahul Gandhi.”

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said, “They did the same with thing with SP leaders like Azam khan and his son. They are trying to divert attention from main issues.”

DMK MP Kanimozhi tweeted, “Disqualification of Mr. Rahul Gandhi from the Lok Sabha is a vengeful action with which they want to silence the opposition. Our voices will only become louder, and our bond against forces that disrespect the tenets of democracy will only become stronger. We stand with him.”

‘Disqualification as Per Law’

Amid a tirade of attacks by the opposition, the BJP maintained that Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification was as per legal procedure and that there was nothing wrong.

BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya told CNN-News18, “This disqualification is clearly legal. It is an automatic disqualification to further the court ruling. RG stands convicted and that leads to an automatic disqualification.”

Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav said, “Rahul Gandhi was not criticising, he was abusive. The disqualification is in accordance with the law.”

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