India
Live updates: "Ready to pay any price" says Rahul Gandhi on Lok Sabha disqualification
Rahul Gandhi has been disqualified from the Lok Sabha over 'Modi' surname remark
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and all Congress MLAs of the state held a demonstration outside the Assembly on Friday to express solidarity with party leader Rahul Gandhi, who has been convicted in a defamation case.
The Indian Youth Congress of Delhi on Friday held a protest at its office against the disqualification of party leader Rahul Gandhi from Parliament after he was convicted by a Surat court in a defamation case. Similar protests were held in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Mahrashtra.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel attacked the Narendra Modi-led Union government over the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi as Lok Sabha MP on Friday and claimed a "dictator" was trying to scare someone who is telling the whole nation "don't be afraid".
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi leaves his residence in Delhi's 12, Tughlaq Lane, as reported by PTI.
"I am fighting for the voice of India. I am ready to pay any price," says Rahul Gandhi.
"What is going on in the country today is very dangerous. By eliminating the opposition, these people want to create an environment of One-Nation, One-Party, this is called dictatorship. My appeal to the countrymen is that we have to come forward together, we have to save democracy, we have to save the country," said Kejriwal.
"The disqualification of Rahul Gandhi from Lok Sabha is shocking. The country is passing through very difficult times. They have terrorised the entire country. One hundred and thirty crore people will have to unite against this arrogant power," tweeted Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
Reacting to Rahul Gandhi's Lok Sabha disqualification, his sister and party leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra questioned the BJP for allegedly rescuing “who looted the country's money”, naming Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi and Mehul Choksi while punishing Gandhi. In a series of tweets, she says that like a "true patriot", Rahul questioned the Adani scam.
"The All India Trinamool Congress strongly condemn the developments that have unfolded. Rahul Gandhi's disqualification is the last nail in the coffin for constitutional freedoms in India," tweeted TMC MP Mahua Moitra.
Former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said that calling "a thief, a thief has become a crime in the country". He also alleged that "thieves and looters are still free" while Rahul Gandhi is being 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," Thackeray said.
Former Congress President Sonia Gandhi arrived at the residence of Rahul Gandhi in Delhi's 12, Tughlaq Lane, as reported by ANI.
Senior Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury responded to Gandhi's disqualification by saying: "The country is witnessing politics of vendetta being spearheaded by the Modi Govt against Rahul Gandhi. 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."
Slamming the Centre on Rahul Gandhi's disqualification, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said: "'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."
"This is a clear case of the anti-democratic dictatorship attitude of the BJP govt," says Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP KC Venugopal.
"The sentence against Rahul Gandhi in the alleged Modi defamation case was announced yesterday and within a day he is now disqualified from the Lok Sabha! Nothing short of a surgical strike on democracy! Time for the entire opposition to rally against this unbridled emergency," tweeted CPIML general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya.
"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," tweeted Congress leader Shashi Tharoor.
Congress spokesperson Jairam Ramesh responded by saying: "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 Maha Mega Scam, Rahul Gandhi stands disqualified. Indian Democracy Om Shanti."
"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...," reads the LS Secretariat letter.
"We will continue to fight. The strategy from here will be discussed within the party," said Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge.
Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi has been disqualified from the Lok Sabha over 'Modi' surname remark
Several Congress leaders including organisation general secretary KC Venugopal, Adhir Chowdhury, and Shri K. Suresh were among those who were detained.
"Lok Sabha membership of Rahul Gandhi was terminated This is the punishment for calling a thief a thief in the time of immortality. But his fight to save this country and democracy will continue more strongly at any cost In every era, the price has to be paid for telling the truth - but the truth has always won," responded Congress leader Supriya Shrinate.
Demanding JPC on Adani, Opposition MPs hold protest march, detained by Delhi Police.
The Modi government is finding new excuses daily to run away from JPC on Adani, says Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge.
Rahul Gandhi visited Parliament. A two-year jail sentence in the Modi surname defamation case threatens to cancel his Lok Sabha membership. He left after the Lok Sabha was adjourned till noon amid protests.
Heavy security deployment outside AICC; Opposition to march from Parliament to Vijay Chowk
MPs of Congress Party and like-minded Opposition Parties to march from Parliament House to Vijay Chowk today at 12.30 PM in protest against the Modi-Shahi.
Indian Youth Congress Mumbai expresses their solidarity with Rahul Gandhi.
NSUI activists burn Modi's effigy at Rajasthan University against Rahul's Conviction
Heavy deployment at Vijay Chowk
Youth Congress chief Srinivas BV writes of solidarity with Rahul from across Kerala.
Congress leaders meet at Kharge's office in Parliament ahead of protest march.
Congress holds nationwide protest against Rahul's conviction.
Congress stages protest in Hyderabad over Surat court’s verdict. Senior leaders of Telangana Congress, Youth Congress, National Students Union of India and the party’s Mahila Morcha staged a silent protest in front of Gandhi Bhavan in the city.
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Published: 24 Mar 2023, 11:22 AM IST