Not Scared Of Disqualification, I Don't Care: Rahul Gandhi Vows To Keep 'Fighting For Democracy'

Following his disqualification from Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scared of his next speech on Adani and that is why he was disqualified.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday held his first press conference after being disqualified from the Lok Sabha following his conviction in a 2019 defamation case. "I had asked only one question on Adani... I will continue to ask questions and fight for democracy in India," the former party president said.

Remarking "I don't care", the former Wayanad MP said he is not scared of disqualification from Lok Sabha.

"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," he said, as quoted by news agency ANI.

He further claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi "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."

"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 added.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was disqualified as a Member of Lok Sabha from the date of his conviction in the criminal defamation case over his 'Modi surname' remark i.e. March 23. The Lok Sabha Secretariat issued a notification on Friday in this regard.

"Consequent upon his conviction by the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Surat in C.C./18712/2019, Shri Rahul Gandhi, Member of Lok Sabha representing the Wayanad Parliamentary Constituency of Kerala stands disqualified from the membership of Lok Sabha from the date of his conviction i.e. 23 March, 2023 in terms of the provisions of Article 102(1)(e) of the Constitution of India read with Section 8 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951," the notification by the Lok Sabha Secretariat reads.

The Congress Party reacted to the development saying that it will fight the 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," the party's General Secretary in-charge Communications Jairam Ramesh wrote on Twitter.

A court in Surat on Thursday sentenced Rahul Gandhi to two years in jail in the case filed against him over his "Modi surname" remarks. The court also granted him bail and suspended the sentence for 30 days to allow him to appeal in a higher court.

The court of Chief Judicial Magistrate H H Varma held 52-year-old Gandhi guilty under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 499 and 500.