New Delhi: Condemning the two-year jail term of Rahul Gandhi in a 2019 defamation case over his ‘Modi surname’ remarks, Opposition parties said a conspiracy is being hatched to target non-BJP leaders.
Taking to Twitter, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who was the first to come out in support of Gandhi, wrote, “A conspiracy is being hatched to eliminate non-BJP leaders and parties by prosecuting them. We have differences with the Congress, but it is not right to implicate Rahul Gandhi in a defamation case like this. It is the job of the public and the opposition to ask questions. We respect the court but disagree with the decision.”
Shiv Sena (Uddhav) faction leader Priyanka Chaturvedi, tweeted, “With all due respect to the judiciary, Rahul Gandhi’s conviction is excessive and will have far-reaching consequences. This non-stop targeting of opposition leaders is condemnable and it won’t silence the voices who speak for the people and refuse to be ji huzoor of the government. (sic)”
Calling Rahul Gandhi as the only person to compete with the NDA government, Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot said, “We keep saying our democracy is in danger as there is pressure on judiciary, ECI, ED and they’re all misused. All decisions are made under influence. Such comments are common… Rahul Gandhi is a courageous man and only he can compete with NDA government.”
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said “her brother has never been afraid” and will “continue to speak the truth”.
“The whole machinery of scared power is trying to suppress the voice of Rahul Gandhi by every means. My brother has never been afraid, nor will he ever be. He has lived speaking the truth, and will continue to speak the truth. He will continue to raise the voice of the people of the country,” she tweeted, adding, “The power of truth and the love of crores of countrymen are with him.”
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said the party will fight the case by sticking to law. “He has been granted bail. We knew from the beginning because they kept changing judges. We believe in law, and judiciary and we will fight against this as per law,” Kharge said.
Taking to Twitter, RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav wrote, “Get the opposition leaders raided by ED, IT, CBI, even if things don't work, get baseless cases done in different cities under a heinous conspiracy so that no core stone is left unturned in headline management. This is a matter of grave concern for the Constitution, democracy, politics and the country.”
DMK's TR Balu said the Surat court verdict makes it clear that "freedom of expression is under threat."
Notably, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was found guilty and sentenced to two years in jail in a four-year-old criminal defamation case over his remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's surname during an election rally in Karnataka. Later, he was granted bail and his sentence was suspended for 30 days to allow time for an appeal in higher court.
“How come all the thieves, be it Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi or Narendra Modi, have Modi in their names,” Rahul Gandhi had allegedly said during an election rally in 2019.
Congress Workers Stage Rail Roko In Tamil Nadu, MLAs Protest Outside Assembly
The Congress staged a rail roko in Kumbakonam and Virudhachalam in Tamil Nadu while the party lawmakers resorted to a "black band" protest in front of the State Assembly condemning the conviction of party leader Rahul Gandhi in the defamation case.
"There was no direct reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Gandhi's election campaign. He had made a passing reference to those having a common surname,” news agency PTI quoted TNCC chief KS Alagiri, as saying.