Rahul Gandhi disqualified from Lok Sabha, barred from contesting polls for eight years

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has been disqualified from the Lok Sabha, the Lok Sabha Secretariat announced on Friday.

His disqualification came a day after he was convicted by a court in Surat in a criminal defamation case over his remarks about the 'Modi surname'.

After the disqualification, Rahul can't contest a Parliamentary election for the next eight years unless a higher court stays his conviction and sentence.    

"Consequent upon his conviction by the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Surat...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," Utpal Kumar Singh, secretary general general of the Lok Sabha Secretariate announced through a notifcation on Friday.

His disqualification from the Lok Sabha starts from the date of his conviction, 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 further read.

On Thursday, a court in Surat sentenced Rahul to two years in jail in a defamation case.

The case was filed after a complaint by BJP MLA Purnesh Modi for Rahul's alleged remark, "How come all thieves have Modi as the common surname?"

Following, Rahul's disqualification, the Congress came out guns blazing at the BJP, terming the disqualification as the death of Indian democracy. 

The Congress said it won't be intimidated by the disqualification and 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 Rahul Gandhi stands disqualified. Indian Democracy Om Shanti," Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said in a tweet.

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor tweeted that the quick action against Rahul has left him stunned. "This is politics with the gloves off and it bodes ill for our democracy," Tharoor said in a tweet.

Meanwhile, Union Minister of State for Law and Justice SPS Baghel defended the decision against Rahul. He termed it a "lawful" decision and asserted that "everyone is equal before law".

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said the decision was a legal one and alleged that the Congress was disrespecting the decision of the judiciary.

"It was a legal decision and not a call taken by the political party. It was taken by a court. The Congress should clarify who they are protesting against," he said.

Senior BJP leader Bhupender Yadav said Gandhi had got enough opportunities present his case, provide evidence and due procedure has been followed by the court for his disqualification.

"When the order has come now the Congress is protesting against the order. They are abusing the legal system. In this country, the system runs according to the law and prior to this similar action has been taken against other public representatives.

"Not just Gandhi, but the Congress party should apologise for insulting the OBC community. They should work towards the development of the country instead of defaming the country's democracy in London," he said.

BJP MP from Kaushambi, Vinod Kumar Sonkar said Gandhi had insulted an entire community and he should be punished.

"This is a decision of the court and the way he defamed a community he should be punished. This disqualification is a good message that no one is above the law," he said.

Also Read: Rahul Gandhi disqualified as MP after conviction in 'Modi Surname' case by Surat Court: List of other MPs disqualified due to court's conviction

Rahul Gandhi: Journey as a Parliamentarian 

2004: Elected, to 14th Lok Sabha

2009: Re-elected to 15th Lok Sabha (2nd term)

May, 2014: Re-elected to 16th Lok Sabha (3rd term)

May, 2019: Re-elected to 17th Lok Sabha (4th term)