In a huge setback for the Congress party, its former president Rahul Gandhi has been disqualified from the Lok Sabha because of his conviction in a 2019 criminal defamation case. The Lok Sabha Secretariat also declared his constituency vacant. The Election Commission can now announce a special election for the seat.
Congress has called it a 'conspiracy' to silence the Wayanad MP, who has been questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi's alleged relationship with billionaire industrialist Gautam Adani, whose business empire has come under scrutiny after allegations of stock manipulation and fraud, and demanding a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the issue.
"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 Lok Sabha Secretariat said in a notification issued today.
Section 8(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, says that the moment a member of parliament is convicted of any offence and sentenced for at least two years, she or he attracts disqualification.
"Rahul Gandhi's Lok Sabha membership has been terminated.
He is constantly fighting for you and this country, from the streets to the Parliament, trying everything possible to save democracy.
Despite every conspiracy, he will continue this fight at all costs and will take just action in this matter.
The fight continues," Congress said in a tweet in Hindi.
Senior Congress leader Manish Tewari called the decision erroneous. "Lok Sabha secretariat cannot disqualify an MP. The President has to do it in consultation with the Election Commission," he told NDTV.
Shashi Tharoor, another senior Congress MP, said it bodes ill for democracy.
"I'm stunned by this action and by its rapidity, within 24 hours of the court verdict and while an appeal was known to be in process. This is politics with the gloves off and it bodes ill for our democracy," he tweeted.
The Congress has said that it will fight the decision both legally and politically.
Source Link
Social media is bold.
Social media is young.
Social media raises questions.
Social media is not satisfied with an answer.
Social media looks at the big picture.
Social media is interested in every detail.
social media is curious.
Social media is free.
Social media is irreplaceable.
But never irrelevant.
Social media is you.
(With input from news agency language)
If you like this story, share it with a friend!
We are a non-profit organization. Help us financially to keep our journalism free from government and corporate pressure .
0 Comments