New Delhi: Strong reactions emerged from the Opposition on Friday against the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi as a Member of the Parliament following his conviction and two-year jail sentence in a defamation case.
Senior leader Shashi Tharoor expressed shock over the prompt action within a day of his conviction and called it “politics with gloves off”.
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
Among other Congress leaders who targeted the BJP over Mr Gandhi’s disqualification were Jairam Ramesh and Srinivas BV.
Black Day for Indian Democracy!
पिछले 9 सालों से BJP को संसद में जिस आवाज़ से सबसे ज्यादा डर लगता था, आज उसको संसद में फिलहाल के लिए खामोश करा दिया गया है
अब सड़कों पर इंकलाब का सैलाब आएगा! ये राहुल गांधी है, जिन्हें खामोश करना मुश्किल ही नही नामुमकिन है
डरपोक तानाशाह शर्म करो pic.twitter.com/9OUVvN7BP8
— Srinivas BV (@srinivasiyc) March 24, 2023
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
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said Opposition leaders have become the prime target of the BJP in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “new India”.
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
“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,” said Banerjee.
Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Derek O’Brien criticised the action against Gandhi in a video statement on Twitter. “The BJP are desperate to silence the voice of the opposition…we know they would go to all kinds of lows. But this is the lowest,” the TMC leader said.
Reaction on Mr Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification pic.twitter.com/WCBDBxDL5n
— Derek O’Brien | ডেরেক ও’ব্রায়েন (@derekobrienmp) March 24, 2023
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal attacked on Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the Lok Sabha removed Rahul Gandhi as its member, “Our forefathers fought for freedom and to make India free from the British. But today’s government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is more dangerous than the British… This is not just the Congress’s fight. This is a fight to save the country,” he said.
एक अहंकारी तानाशाह, कम-पढ़े लिखे व्यक्ति से देश को बचाना पड़ेगा@RahulGandhi को Lok Sabha की सदस्यता से बर्खास्त कर देना कायराना है
हम इस Judgement से सहमत नहीं हैं
देश में सभी डरे हुए हैं
अब लोगों को खड़ा होना पड़ेगा, मेरी लोगों से Appeal—ये देश सबका है
—CM @ArvindKejriwal pic.twitter.com/hmdlMlESLu
— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) March 24, 2023
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday mounted a strong attack over the matter, she made a series of tweets, saying that the Nehru-Gandhi family has given its blood to the country and fought for truth.
..@narendramodi जी आपके चमचों ने एक शहीद प्रधानमंत्री के बेटे को देशद्रोही, मीर जाफ़र कहा। आपके एक मुख्यमंत्री ने सवाल उठाया कि राहुल गांधी का पिता कौन है?
कश्मीरी पंडितों के रिवाज निभाते हुए एक बेटा पिता की मृत्यु के बाद पगड़ी पहनता है, अपने परिवार की परंपरा क़ायम रखता है…1/4
— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) March 24, 2023
The defamation case pertains to Gandhi’s alleged “how come all thieves have Modi as the common surname” remark at a pre-election rally in Karnataka’s Kolar. A former Gujarat minister had filed a complaint alleging he had defamed the entire Modi community.