Rahul Goes All Guns Blazing On 'PM Modi-Adani Relation', Says Not Scared Of Jail: Top Points From RaGa's Presser

In his first media address after being disqualified as an MP, Rahul Gandhi said that there's a constant attack on democracy in India.

Rahul Gandhi addressing first press conference after his disqualification as MP.

Source : PTI

Rahul Gandhi Disqualification: In his first media interaction after being disqualified as a Lok Sabha MP, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said that examples of attacks on democracy in India keep coming forth every day. He said that everything is being done to divert attention from one core question.

Here Are Top Pointers From What He Said

• "I have said many times before that democracy is being attacked in the country. We are seeing examples of this each day. I asked questions in the Parliament regarding the relationship between PM Modi and Adani," Gandhi said.

 

• He added, "My speech in Parliament was expunged, and later I wrote a detailed reply to the Lok Sabha Speaker. Some ministers lied about me, that I sought help from foreign powers. But there is no such thing I have done. I will not stop asking questions, I will keep questioning the relationship between PM Modi and Adani."

 

• He said that he asked only one question on Adani, adding " I will continue to ask questions and fight for democracy in India."

 

• Gandhi alleged that the whole drama has been orchestrated to defend the Prime Minister from the simple question- 'Who's Rs 20,000 crore went into Adani's shell companies?'. 

 

• He claimed there was an involvement of one Chinese national in all this and asked why no one is asking who that Chinese national is.

 

• "I am not scared of these threats, disqualifications or prison sentences," he added. He said, "Even if they disqualify me permanently, I will keep doing my work. it does not matter if I am inside the Parliament or not. I will keep fighting for the country."

 

• He said, "I am not interested in anything but the truth. I only speak the truth, it is my work and I will keep doing it even if I get disqualified or get arrested. This country has given me everything and that is why I do this."

 

• Rahul Gandhi said, "The Prime Minister is scared of my next speech on Adani, and I have seen it in his eyes. That is why, first the distraction and then the disqualification."

 

• When asked why he did not apologise, he said that he is not 'Savarkar', he is 'Gandhi' and that 'Gandhi' never apologises to anyone.

 

• He said that he was assuming he would be sentenced to 5 or 7 years but was only given imprisonment for two years.

 

• Gandhi said, "My job is to defend the democratic nature of the country which means defending the institutions of the country, defending the voice of the poor people of the country and telling people the truth about people like Adani who are exploiting the relationship they have with the PM."

 

• Rahul Gandhi said that for this government, country is Adani and Adani is country. He claimed that the opposition will benefit the most from Centre's panic reaction. He thanked all opposition parties for extending support to him.

 

• He said he has always talked about brotherhood, this is not about OBCs but rather it is about saving Adani. 

Rahul Gandhi was addressing a press conference at AICC headquarters in Delhi. This was the first full-fledged address by Gandhi since his disqualification as Lok Sabha MP on Friday. This came after a Surat court on Thursday held Rahul 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 was sentenced as per law. 

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.