Rahul Gandhi Disqualified Live Updates — UDF Holds Torch March In Wayanad Over Rahul Gandhi's LS Disqualification
Rahul Gandhi Disqualified Live: Follow this page for all the updates and Breaking News pertaining to disqualification of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi after his conviction in the defamation case.
United Democratic Front (UDF) takes out a march in Thiruvambady in Wayanad constituency against the Central government in the wake of the disqualification of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi from Lok Sabha.
The Congress in Telangana held a day-long dharna on Sunday at Gandhi Bhavan here to protest against the disqualification of senior party leader Rahul Gandhi from the Lok Sabha. Addressing the 'deeksha' programme, State Congress chief Revanth Reddy condemned the disqualification and alleged that the BJP had conspired against Rahul Gandhi for having repeatedly questioned "Prime Minister Narendra Modi and (Gautam) Adani's association". Rahul Gandhi was disqualified in a "haste, he added.
The Punjab and Haryana units of Congress held a day-long 'Sankalp Satyagraha' here on Sunday to protest against Rahul Gandhi's disqualification from Lok Sabha, with party leaders hitting out at the BJP-led Centre alleging that it was behaving in a dictatorial manner. Both units organised separate events at the state headquarters as part of the protest that saw the participation of many senior leaders.
Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad on Sunday termed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's disqualification from the Lok Sabha a "wrong thing" and does not bode well for democracy. "I am against this, whether he is Rahul Gandhi or Lalu Prasad Yadav or any other MP or MLA. It is against natural justice that on one side a judge delivered a judgement and on the other the MP or MLA is disqualified," Azad said.
BJP giving OBC colour to Rahul Gandhi's 'Modi surname' remark to hide theft, claims Digvijaya Singh
All the Other Backward Classes (OBC) MPs of BJP will meet party chief JP Nadda in New Delhi on Wednesday. According to BJP OBC Morcha chief K Laxman, the meeting will be held to discuss the strategy of the ruling party's OBC wing in the poll-bound states. He also said the OBC MPs will also discuss Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's remark on 'Modi surname'.
BJP slammed Congress over 'Sankalp Satyagraha', alleges it is agitating against country's Constitution and court's verdict against Rahul Gandhi to justify his remarks against “entire backward community” of country.
"I thank PM Narendra Modi. What they did is an example of 'Vinash Kale Viprit Buddhi.' But it will not only protect democracy but also help Rahul Gandhi & Opposition get an advantage of 100+ seats," said TMC MP Shatrughan Sinha.
Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot at Congress party's Sankalp Satyagraha, in Delhi |
He said, "When (Bharat Jodo) Yatra was being taken out and Rahul Gandhi's popularity was rising, they (BJP) hatched a conspiracy to weaken a youth leader. They have a history of hatching conspiracies. They couldn't answer the allegations & questions against Adani."
BJP has reacted to the Congress party's nationwide 'Sankalp Satyagraha' protest and said that it is not 'Satyagraha' but 'Duragraha'. BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi made the remark in a media address.
Former Maharashtra CM Prithviraj Chavan has said that the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi means hurting and ending democracy.
"We are making an effort to protect democracy. This is our peaceful Satyagraha. Further course of action will be decided...We'll legally appeal against this action (disqualification), & legal battle will be fought. Political battle will continue, as you can see," he added at Congress' 'Sankalp Satyagraha'.
Congress leaders and workers hold Sankalp Satyagraha in Mumbai, to protest against the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi as an MP. Prithviraj Chavan, Balasaheb Thorat, Bhai Jagtap and others are participating in the Satyagraha.
"One who condemns his country can't do Satyagraha": Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath mocks Congress' Sankalp Satyagraha
Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot: "Rahul Gandhi's motive is to save the democracy in the country. The way people have gathered here for the party's Satyagraha gives a message to the nation. A national debate has started in the country after Rahul Gandhi's press conference yesterday. People have appreciated what he said."
Former BRS MP, D Srinivas speaks on Rahul Gandhi's expulsion in Hyderabad ahead of re-joining Congress. He said, "Rahul Gandhi is my leader. How can you say that he doesn't have the eligibility (of being an MP)? Given the sacrifices made by that family & their experience, you can't question his eligibility."
"I am joining the party today. I shall be a part of their ongoing protest," he added.
Congress leaders and workers participate in the party's Sankalp Satyagraha in Dehradun, Uttarakhand to protest against the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi as an MP.
Addressing Congress workers at Sankalp Satyagraha at Rajghat in Delhi, the party general secretary came heavily on the Modi government. She alleged that the entire government system is trying to save only one man.
This Satyagraha is just for today but such Satyagrahas will be done across the country... Rahul Gandhi is fighting for the common people. The statement (Modi surname) was given by Rahul Gandhi in Karnataka but the case was transferred to Gujarat. BJP did not have the power to file the defamation case in Karnataka: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge at Rajghat.
Congress' Salman Khurshid questions judgement leading to Rahul Gandhi's disqualification.
He said, "There is a law, and he (Rahul Gandhi) has been held liable under that law. We believe there is enough course on appeal for this to be reversed. As a lawyer, I could clearly show there are many flaws in the judgment."
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has updated his Twitter account bio to Dis'Qualified MP.
Rahul Gandhi was disqualified as a Member of Parliament after he was convicted in a criminal defamation case over his 'Modi surname' remark.
Congress President Mallikarjuna Kharge, party gen secy Priyanka Gandhi, MP Jairam Ramesh and other senior leaders have reached Rajghat for 'Sankap Satyagraha' against Rahul Gandhi's disqualification.
Delhi Police denies permission to Congress for observing 'Satyagraha' in solidarity with Rahul Gandhi at Rajghat: Officials
Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Jairam Ramesh, KC Venugopal and other leaders leave from the residence of party president Mallikarjun Kharge Congress party is holding a day-long Sankalp Satyagraha at Rajghat to protest against disqualification of Rahul Gandhi, ANI reported.
Congress party is holding a day-long Sankalp Satyagraha at Rajghat to protest against the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi as a member of Parliament.
Congress leader Jagdish Tytler also joined the Sankalp Satyagraha at Rajghat, Delhi.
In a survey by ABP News-Matrize, 43 percent of people in Uttar Pradesh said that the quantum of punishment given to Rahul Gandhi in form of disqualification as MP was correct.
As per the survey, 31 percent believed that his remarks were wrong but that he should remain an MP.
22 percent don't agree with the punishment and say politics is involved while 4 percent have no idea at all.
The Congress party will be holding a nationwide protest 'Sankalp Satyagraha' at state headquarters against the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi as Lok Sabha MP.
Union Minister Anurag Thakur said on Saturday that elected representatives are automatically disqualified if they are convicted by a court and sentenced to two or more years in prison, and he chastised Rahul Gandhi for relying on "gimmicks" for "cheap popularity."
Thakur also stated that the Union government or the Lok Sabha has no say in the matter and that the disqualification cannot be suspended or revoked.
His statement was combative. Gandhi stated that he will continue to defend democracy in the country even if he is barred from sitting in Parliament for life or jailed. (PTI Input)
Assam minister Atul Bora said on Saturday that "this action is the result of Rahul Gandhi's political immaturity. Rahul Gandhi should know how to treat his own Prime Minister. I noticed that members of the Congress party are protesting across the country".
Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde on Saturday said that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has insulted Veer Savarkar. He also disparaged the entire OBC community. He had no right to criticise Prime Minister Modi, who is working for the country. Rahul Gandhi's goal is 'Bharat todo,' not 'Bharat jodo.'
Congress leader Pramod Tiwari on Saturday said that "Rahul Gandhi's family should be treated differently by the law. His grandmother & father have sacrificed their lives for the nation. The law must give minimum punishment. BJP is scared that their theft may be caught".
"Adani is roaming free, those who helped in this scam, the BJP government is roaming free & the one who spoke against both is being sent to Jail for two years," he added.
A day after Rahul Gandhi was disqualified from Parliament, Mayawati, the president of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), referred to the Emergency as she attacked both the Congress and the BJP, saying political malice and hatred had not benefited the country in the past and will not in the future.
She stated that Congress should consider whether what happened during the 1975 Emergency and what is happening now with its leader Rahul Gandhi is justified.
Mayawati claimed in a series of tweets that the Congress and the BJP governments have failed to focus on public welfare and the eradication of serious problems such as poverty, unemployment, and backwardness due to their "politics of extreme selfishness." (PTI Input)
The Congress protested Rahul Gandhi's conviction in a defamation case and disqualification as an MP in Maharashtra's Thane city on Saturday, while the BJP and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena held separate demonstrations over his remark that allegedly hurt the sentiments of the Other Backward Class (OBC).
The Congress protested Gandhi's disqualification near the statue of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar in Thane city. Vikrant Chavan, the city unit president of the grand old party, led the protest. Protesters carried placards and banners and chanted anti-BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi slogans.
After some time, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders and workers staged a protest against Gandhi at the same location. Former party corporator Milind Patankar led the protesters, who demanded that Gandhi be imprisoned in the case. (PTI Input)
The disqualification of Rahul Gandhi is an "own goal" by the BJP, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, news agency PTI reported on Saturday.
Condemning the Lok Sabha Secretariat's actions, Tharoor told PTI that the issue would ultimately benefit the opposition parties and Gandhi.
"This has had a few unintended consequences for the BJP," Tharoor said, adding that the incident had exposed Indian democracy around the world.
"There are headlines in every capital about what happened to Rahul Gandhi. Second, they have created a level of opposition unity that didn't previously exist," Tharoor was quoted as saying by PTI.
BJP MP Sushil Modi said that Congress can say anything. He asked what the connection is between the Surat court verdict and Rahul Gandhi speaking in Lok Sabha.
Modi said that these (Gandhis) people think they should have a separate IPC for them that allows them to do anything that they want.
BJP leader Ravishankar Prasad said that the four Cs of Congress are- Cut, Commission, Corruption & Congress. Reacting to Rahul Gandhi's allegations in his press conference, he said that Rahul Gandhi will not get votes with this.
Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel said, "BJP wants to divert the Adani issue but Rahul Gandhi will keep questioning PM Modi...Does Akhilesh Yadav, Lalu Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav, Bhupesh Baghel or Tamil Nadu CM not belong to the backward classes? Why is BJP creating trouble for all of us?"
BJP's Rakesh Sinha has reacted to Rahul Gandhi's presser and said that the disqualified leader is behaving the same way his grandmother and former PM Indira Gandhi did.
Sinha told ABP News, "Like his grandmother Indira Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi also has no faith in the judiciary."
Rahul Gandhi said that he wanted to ask who was the person whose money got into Adani-owned shell companies which amount to Rs 20,000 crore.
He said there is a Chinese national involved, 'why is nobody asking about it', he asked.
Rahul Gandhi said that he doesn't care of his disqualification and it won't affect his work even if he gets beaten.
Rahul Gandhi said that he will keep asking questions on where did the $3 billion come from and what the relation between PM Modi and Adani is.
Rahul Gandhi's press briefing after his disqualification has begun.
Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra reach the AICC office in Delhi. Rahul Gandhi will address press conference at 1 PM.
Congress workers have been detained by police for protesting in Wayanad, Kerala over the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi as a member of Parliament.
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "Rahul Gandhi has not been disqualified by the GoI. He has been convicted by the court because in his speech he used unparliamentary, defamatory words against the OBC community and as a consequence of the pronouncement of the Court, he has been disqualified. This is a judicial process and there is nothing political about it."
Chandigarh youth Congress stopped the New Delhi-Chandigarh Shatabdi train at the Chandigarh railway station over the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi from Parliament.
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra tweeted a video of Rahul Gandhi asking questions on Adani issue in Lok Sabha and wrote in caption, "Rahul Gandhi is being attacked for these questions. When the public servant elected by the public asked questions on behalf of the public, Adani-servant conspired to suppress the voice of the public servant."
"But the voice of the public cannot be suppressed. These questions will now resonate across the country and will have to be answered," she further said.
Kerala Congress holds a protest in Wayanad over the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi from Parliament. Rahul Gandhi was a former MP from Wayanad.
The workers of Madhya Pradesh Congress are protesting in Bhopal with locks tied on masks they're wearing to show 'their voices are being silenced' on Rahul Gandhi's disqualification.
Whereas, BJP leaders are staging agitation against Rahul Gandhi in Maharashtra.
Reacting to Congress' allegations that Rahul Gandhi was disqualified because he was vocal on Adani row, former Union Minister Prakash Javdekar told ABP News that it was the court that gave the verdict, and not the Central government.
On Rahul Gandhi's disqualification, former Union Minister Ravishankar Prasad told ABP News that the action against Rahul Gandhi has been taken as per the law.
SP chief Akhilesh Yadav said, "National parties always insulted regional parties. First, it was done by Congress and now BJP does this...This is a chance for them (Congress), they should keep the regional party forward and then fight in the elections then only they can win against BJP. This is the responsibility of Congress."
The manner in which the decision has been taken regarding Rahul Gandhi within 24 hours shows that the central government is in desperation, said JDU National President Rajeev Ranjan (Lalan) Singh.
He added, "There is a process of democracy, the decision of the court goes to the Election Commission. Then it goes to the Speaker through the Election Commission. The entire process was done in 10 hours which shows that the central government is actively involved in this."
Maha Vikas Aghadi MLAs stage a silent protest outside the Maharashtra Assembly against the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi as a member of Parliament.
Rahul Gandhi will on Saturday address the media at 1 PM at Congress headquarters in New Delhi. This will be his first format media brief after his disqualification as a Lok Sabha MP.
Petition filed in 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.
Congress Gen Secy KC Venugopal on Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification from Lok Sabha, "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."
Youth Congress workers today held a protest at the Bagepalli toll plaza in the Chikballapur district disrupting traffic movement in the area.
In 2021, Rahul Gandhi revealed the identity of a POCSO victim in a tweet. We had recommended lodging a case under section 23 of the POCSO Act, section 74 of the Juvenile Justice Act & section 128 A of IPC: Priyank Kanoongo, Chairperson NCPCR
BJP is rattled by Bharat Jodo Yatra becoming a movement, Congress questioning on Adani issue. Will go all over country saying Rahul Gandhi was deliberately disqualified for raising voice against Modi government: Jairam Ramesh after Congress strategy meeting
It's not a surprise because everyone knows how the Central government is behaving: JD(S) leader & former Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy on Rahul Gandhi's disqualification as MP, in Kolkata
Kerala: Congress workers protest in Mananthavady, Wayanad over the disqualification of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as an MP. Rahul Gandhi was a Lok Sabha from Wayanad constituency.
Congress leaders meet at AICC in Delhi over Rahul Gandhi's disqualification as MP and the party's demand for JPC probe on the Adani issue
"Today is a Black Day in the history of Indian democracy. Rahul Gandhi's disqualification from Parliament is the height of Narendra Modi's arrogance and dictatorship....This is not the time for conflicts between parties. All democrats should openly condemn the misdeeds of BJP govt to safeguard the democracy and constitutional values in the country," says BRS President & Telangana CM KC Rao.
"The disqualification of Rahul Gandhi from the Lok Sabha is shocking. The country is going through very difficult times. They have kept the whole country scared. 130 crore people will have to unite against their arrogant power," said Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal.
All the democratic forces in Kerala and across the nation will support Rahul Gandhi and rally behind him because the fascist forces are trying to silence him as he is accusing the PM who is helping his friend Gautam Adani who has cheated India: VD Satheeshan, LoP Kerala Assembly
The kind of political conspiracy done against Rahul Gandhi is in front of the nation today. Taking away Rahul Gandhi’s membership won’t stop him from questioning the govt: Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu
"Congress raised questions on Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi…. Has your friend Gautam Adani become bigger than the country's parliament and the great people of India that you were shocked when his loot was questioned," Priyanka Gandhi slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Ever since Bharat Jodo Yatra concluded successfully, Govt is perturbed...The manner in which Rahul Gandhi - a patriot whose entire clan took part in the freedom struggle and whose grandmother & father were assassinated - was blocked from speaking in & coming to Parliament...This will cost them: Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot
Detained Congress MPs raise slogans demanding a JPC probe in the Adani issue and in support of Rahul Gandhi over his disqualification as MP
"This is an attempt to scare Rahul Gandhi," says Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel
"This (Disqualification of Rahul Gandhi as Lok Sabha MP) is done to divert the attention from the real issues of inflation and unemployment," says SP chief Akhilesh Yadav
Disqualification of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as MP by Lok Sabha Secretariat is result of court order and not political call; everyone equal before law: BJP
"Rahul Gandhi's candidacy has been cancelled. Calling a thief, a thief has become a crime in our country. Thieves and looters are still free and Rahul Gandhi was 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," said former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray
"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. I despise BJP's anti-democratic attitude," tweets Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar.
"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," said Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury
UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi arrives at the residence of Rahul Gandhi in Delhi
How can he (Rahul Gandhi) call the entire community "chor"? Freedom of speech does not mean defaming or insulting any community. He abused the OBC community, not criticised it. He is not even seeking an apology for his remarks. He also defamed the nation abroad: Union Minister Bhupender Yadav.
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee reacts to disqualification of Rahul Gandhi as an MP.
She 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."
Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole says, "We condemn the way in which Rahul Gandhi is disqualified...On the basis of Surat Court verdict, under Modi Govt's pressure, Lok Sabha disqualified him...If action is taken on calling someone "chor", we'll call them "daaku."
Congress workers have taken to the streets of Delhi to stage protests after Rahul Gandhi was disqualified as the Lok Sabha MP from Wayanad.
A Congress Party briefing will take place at 3.45 PM today by senior leaders Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Jairam Ramesh at the AICC headquarters in New Delhi, the party said.
"They (BJP) tried always to disqualify him. They don't want to keep those who are speaking the truth, but we will continue to speak the truth. We'll continue to demand JPC, If needed we'll go to jail to save democracy," Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said on Rahul Gandhi's disqualification as MP day after his conviction by a Surat quote over his remark on Modi surname a few years ago.
"We've called a meeting of our senior party leaders at the party office at 5pm today. In the meeting, we will formulate our strategy as to how to proceed forward," Kharge added, as quoted by news agency ANI.
Congress party's Rahul Gandhi disqualified as a Member of Lok Sabha from the date of his conviction in the criminal defamation case over his 'Modi surname' remark, March 23, as reported by the news agency ANI.
Background
Rahul Gandhi Disqualified Live: Hello and welcome to ABP Live. Follow ABP Live's blog to get the breaking news, latest updates, and other developing stories pertaining to the disqualification of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi after his conviction in the criminal defamation case over his 'Modi surname' remark.
Notably, a Surat court on Thursday convicted Congress MP Rahul Gandhi in a defamation case for his alleged 'Modi surname' remark during the 2019 Lok Sabha poll campaign. He was sentenced to two years in jail by the court.
A day after Gandhi's conviction, BJP President JP Nadda slammed him saying that his ego was very big and his level of understanding was very small. Nadda further said that the Congress leader has insulted the OBC community for his political gains.
Nadda took to Twitter and said, "Rahul Gandhi's ego is very big and understanding is very small. For his political gains, he insulted the entire OBC community and called them a thief. He also ignored the option of repeatedly explaining and apologising by the society and the court and continuously hurt the sentiments of the OBC community."
Union Minister Bhupender Yadav also slammed Rahul Gandhi and said that he insulted our judicial system and defamed the nation on foreign soil. No politician has the right to insult the OBC community.
"Rahul Gandhi insulted our judicial system. He defamed the nation on foreign soil. No politician has the right to insult the OBC community. This behaviour of the leader shows Bharat Todo, not Bharat Jodo. Congress is questioning the legal decision. Insulting any surname is not freedom of speech," Bhupender Yadav said as quoted by the news agency ANI.
The Congress said it would not be "intimidated or silenced" after Rahul Gandhi was disqualified from the Lok Sabha following his conviction in a 2019 defamation case. Congress communications in-charge Jairam Ramesh said the party would fight the battle legally and politically.
"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," Ramesh tweeted.
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