Congress' Solidarity March, Oppn Meet Today Over Rahul Gandhi's Jail Sentence, BJP Plans Protests

Both Congress and BJP are planning to hold protests on Friday over Rahul Gandhi's jail sentence on Modi 'surname' remark. A meeting of opposition parties is also set to take place on the same issue.

A Surat court on Thursday convicted Gandhi in over his alleged 'Modi surname' remark ( Image Source :PTI )

Raul Gandhi Jail Sentence: Congress is planning to hold a solidarity march against the Surat court verdict which sentenced Rahul Gandhi to two years imprisonment in a defamation case over his 'Modi surname' remark made in 2019. There is also a meeting of opposition parties followed by a protest at Vijay Chowk.  

Congress has also called an urgent meeting of its steering committee members, PCC presidents, CLP leaders and frontal organization chiefs at party headquarter in Delhi at 5 PM today, ANI reported. It added that party president Mallikarjun Kharge will preside over the meeting.

Party general secretary KC Venugopal on Thursday said, as per ANI, that Congress is mulling taking out a solidarity march against the verdict. 

"We have analyzed the situation. The verdict was so unfortunate as far as Congress Party is concerned. We will do a solidarity march for Congress Party. We are seeking an appointment with the President. From day 1 onwards, when Rahul Gandhi raised the issue of Adani, the Government of India side came to stop him. They do not want Rahul Gandhi to speak in Parliament. They are varying all options to stop his voice," Venugopal told ANI. 

He added, "But Rahul Gandhi and Congress party will speak. This issue is not because of Rahul Gandhi. It is because the country's environment is like that. All opposition is getting suppressed. I am happy that parties are showing solidarity." 

Party MP Jairam Ramesh said that at 10 AM on Friday, some opposition parties will meet to discuss over Rahul Gandhui’s sentence and then will hold a protest at Vijay Chowk. Ramesh said that they have also sought time from President Droupadi Murmu. 

VIDEO | Congress leader @Jairam_Ramesh talks to media after a meeting of MPs and senior leaders at party president @kharge's residence. Earlier in the day, a Surat court sentenced Rahul Gandhi to 2 years imprisonment in the 2019 ‘Modi surname’ defamation case. pic.twitter.com/MeD5qjFkXM

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 23, 2023

"Tomorrow evening Congress President & CLP leader will have meeting for programs to be held in different states. This verdict on Rahul Gandhi is an example of PM Modi Govt’s dirty politics. We will fight this legally & politically," he further stated. 

BJP Plans Protests

On the other hand, Chandrashekhar Bawankule, the Maharashtra president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), attacked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday, stating that by remarking on the surname Modi, the Congress MP insulted the Teli group and the OBCs in general. 

According to Bawankule, the BJP would stage across the state against Rahul Gandhi from Friday. 

On Thursday, a Surat court sentenced Congress MP Rahul Gandhi to two years imprisonment in a defamation case filed against him over his 'Modi surname' remark made in 2019. He had made the remark during an election rally for Lok Sabha elections. 

The leader was however given bail soon after the sentence was pronounced on a surety. The court also stayed the sentence for 30 days to allow him to approach the higher courts.