'Black Day' In Wayanad, Plea In SC Against Disqualification Of Convicted Leaders: Top Points After RaGa's Expulsion

From observing Black Day in Wayanad to a plea in the top court against the disqualification of elected leaders after conviction, opposition-led by Congress decides to up the ante against the Centre.

Rahul Gandhi Disqualification: The Lok Sabha Secretariat on Friday disqualified Rahul Gandhi from its membership ultimately removing his status as an ‘MP’ in Parliament. This came after a Surat court on Thursday held Gandhi guilty in the criminal defamation case for his ‘Modi Surname’ remark in 2019 during the Lok Sabha polls campaign. While opposition parties led by Congress intensified their attack on the BJP-led Centre, the latter maintained that Gandhi got what he deserved. 

If Rahul Gandhi does not get relief in his appeal, forget about 2024, he will lose eight years before he could even contest any polls. The Lok Sabha website shows three seats including Jalandhar, Lakshadweep and Wayanad as vacant.  

As per legal experts, since it’s a criminal case, Rahul Gandhi cannot directly approach the high court or Supreme Court. He would first have to appeal in the Gujarat Sessions Court and then Gujarat High Court. 

The Congress party is preparing to challenge the decision both legally and politically. Here are the top points of the developments. 

Top Points 

• A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court challenging automatic disqualification of representatives of elected legislative bodies after conviction. The plea challenges the constitutional validity of Section 8(3) of the Representatives of People's Act. The plea seeks direction that automatic disqualification under Section 8 (3) be declared as ultra vires of the Constitution of India, for being arbitrary, illegal. 

 

• As part of a protest against the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi from Lok Sabha, Wayanad District Congress Committee chief ND Appachan said that the party will observe "Black Day" on Saturday. Rahul Gandhi was the Lok Sabha MP from Wayanad, Kerala. 

 

• BJP leader Khusbhu Sundar’s old tweet before joining BJP goes viral. In the tweet, she said corruption is written after every ‘Modi’. The tweet read, “Yahan #Modi wahan #Modi jahan dekho #Modi..lekin yeh kya?? Har #Modi ke aage #bhrashtachaar surname laga hua hai..toh baat ko no samjho..#Modi mutlab #bhrashtachaar..let's change the meaning of #Modi to corruption..suits better..#Nirav #Lalit #Namo = corruption..👌👌😊😊.” 

 

• Congress Gen Secy KC Venugopal thanked opposition parties for coming together on Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification from Lok Sabha. He said, "We’re grateful to all like-minded political parties who came forward & supported us in this issue. I feel now, Congress is also realising that this unity of the opposition parties must go further or else this dictatorship govt will ruin the country." 

 

• Congress said that they will fight the battle legally and politically. In a tweet, Congress communications in-charge Jairam Ramesh said, "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, Rahul Gandhi stands disqualified. Indian Democracy Om Shanti."  

 

• "They (BJP) tried all ways to disqualify him. They don't want to keep those who are speaking the truth but we will continue to speak the truth. We will continue to demand JPC (probe into Adani issue). If needed, we'll go to jail to save democracy," Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said. 

 

• Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury called the move "politics of vendetta" being spearheaded by the Modi government against Rahul Gandhi.  

 

• Condemning the BJP's anti-democratic attitude, Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar said, “You can remove Rahul Gandhi from the seat of Parliament but it is impossible to remove him from the seat given in the heart of crores of Indians.” 

 

• Taking to Twitter, Rahul Gandhi wrote, “I am fighting for the voice of India. I am ready to pay every price.” 

 

• The BJP argued that a conspiracy inside the Congress may have played a part in its leaders' failure to file a petition in a higher court for relief. 

 

• Union ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Anurag Thakur slammed the Congress for criticising the court decision convicting Gandhi, claiming that the Nehru-Gandhi family has a "feudal mindset" and a "sense of entitlement". 

 

• Following his disqualification as an MP, Rahul Gandhi may also have to vacate his official bungalow in Lutyens' Delhi within a month, if he does not get relief from a higher court in the defamation case.