On March 23, 2023, Rahul Gandhi, Congress chief and Member of Parliament from Wayanad, was convicted by a Gujarat court docket in a felony defamation case for his remarks on the Modi surname. BJP MLA Purnesh Modi filed a criticism in opposition to the Congress chief over an alleged comment made by Gandhi, which acknowledged, “How come all thieves have Modi because the frequent surname?”
The court docket sentenced him to 2 years in jail, however he was granted bail and the sentence was suspended for 30 days. The subsequent day, the Lok Sabha Secretariat issued a notification that Rahul Gandhi stood disqualified from the Home with quick impact.
This disqualification implies that Rahul Gandhi’s seat in Wayanad now stands vacant, and the Election Fee could quickly announce a contemporary election schedule for the constituency.
Along with shedding his parliamentary seat, Rahul Gandhi can even lose a number of privileges loved by members of parliament below Articles 105 and 194 of the Structure.
These privileges embrace immunity from civil and felony proceedings “in respect of” something he stated or voted in Parliament, in addition to facilities resembling wage, day by day allowances, travelling allowances, and travelling amenities.
Moreover, he won’t be able to contest any election for six years after finishing his sentence, making it a complete of eight years from the date of conviction.
This disqualification additionally implies that Rahul Gandhi won’t be able to contest the final election in 2024 except his conviction is suspended or overturned by the next court docket earlier than the elections. The lack of such privileges is critical, and it’s doubtless that the federal government can also ask him to vacate his official residence in Delhi.
The disqualification has sparked reactions from politicians throughout the spectrum. Congress chief Shashi Tharoor has referred to as it “Politics Gloves Off,” suggesting that it bodes ailing for democracy.
