Rahul Gandhi's sentencing: The Congress has called a conferral of opposition leaders today
Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi was disqualified from Lok Sabha on Friday, a day after he was convicted by a Surat court in a 2019 criminal defamation case.
Announcing his disqualification, the Lok Sabha Secretariat in a notification said that it was effective from March 23, the day of his conviction.
Mr Gandhi has been found guilty of defamation for a 2019 campaign trail remark implying that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was a criminal. However, he was granted bail and his sentence was suspended for 30 days to let him appeal the decision.
The Gujarat's court's verdict is the latest legal action against opposition party figures and institutions seen as critical of the Modi government.
Here are the Highlights on Rahul Gandhi's disqualification:
Congress Wants 'Systematic' Opposition Unity After Rahul Gandhi SetbackThe Congress has planned a nationwide "save democracy" movement to protest against the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi as the member of parliament, a day after a court convicted him of defamation for comments that many considered insulting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The decision was taken at a strategy meeting this evening attended by top Congress leaders. Read
here Superfast Train Stopped By Congress Workers In Madhya Pradesh In Protest
A superfast train was today stopped by Madhya Pradesh Youth Congress workers protesting against Rahul Gandhi's expulsion from parliament, a day after his defamation conviction for a remark seen as an insult against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Scores of Congress workers chanting "Rahul Gandhi Jindabad; Narendra Modi Murdabad" slogans stopped the train at Rani Kamalapati railway station in Bhopal. They also carried banners proclaiming "Black Day For Indian Democracy".
Bengal Congress To Put Up Road, Rail Blockade On Saturday
Holding a protest gathering in central Kolkata, the Congress in West Bengal on Friday said that it will put up rail and road blockades on Saturday against the disqualification of former party president Rahul Gandhi from Lok Sabha. Terming the disqualification as an example of the vengeful politics of the BJP, state Congress leader Ashutosh Chatterjee asserted that it is a "shameful act" on the part of the saffron party.
"Fighting For India, Will Pay Any Price": Rahul Gandhi On Disqualification
Reacting to his disqualification as a member of parliament today, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said he is "ready to pay any cost". The move came a day after his conviction in a defamation case for a remark seen as an insult to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "I am fighting for the voice of India. I am ready to pay any price," he tweeted in Hindi.
"What Was the Big Crime?" Congress Chief On Rahul Gandhi's Disqualification
Congress chief M Kharge today said that Rahul Gandhi has been disqualified from parliament as he speaks truth to power, voices peoples' concern. What was the big crime... This is not a case of backward caste or forward caste," said Mr Kharge, adding that have used all means to disqualify him. Rahul Gandhi was today disqualified from the Lok Sabha because of his conviction in a 2019 criminal defamation case.
"Beginning Of End Of Dictatorship": Uddhav Thackeray Slams Centre Over Rahul GandhiUddhav Thackeray, who heads the Shiv Sena (UBT) party, on Friday dubbed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's disqualification as "murder" of democracy and said this is the beginning of the end of "dictatorship". In a statement, Thackeray said it has become a crime to call a thief a thief, while those "looting" the country are out. Read
here "Remember Azam Khan, His Son": Akhilesh Yadav After Rahul Gandhi's Disqualification
This has happened with Congress now, but the Samajwadi Party has faced this earlier, said Akhilesh Yadav, shining a spotlight on the disqualification of his party MP Azam Khan and his MLA son Abdullah Azam. "If the same action is taken against the BJP leaders, many will lose their membership," said Mr Yadav, the principal opposition leader in UP. Rahul Gandhi has been disqualified from the Lok Sabha because of his conviction in a 2019 criminal defamation case.
Priyanka Gandhi Reaches Rahul Gandhi's Residence
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi has reached Rahul Gandhi's residence. Earlier, UPA chief Sonia Gandhi too arrived at her son's home after he was disqualified from the Lok Sabha because of his conviction in a 2019 criminal defamation case.
Sonia Gandhi Arrives At Rahul Gandhi's Residence
"Modi Government Most Afraid Of Rahul Gandhi," Says Congress Chief
Trinamool Leader Derek O'Brien Reacts To Rahul Gandhi's Disqualification
Playing Caste Politics, Defending Nirav, Lalit Modi: Congress Slams BJP
The Congress on Friday refuted BJP chief JP Nadda's allegation that Rahul Gandhi compared OBC communities to thieves, and accused the ruling party of defending the likes of fugitives Nirav Modi and Lalit Modi, and indulging in "caste politics".
Amid a political fight between the BJP and Congress following Mr Gandhi's conviction in a defamation case over the "Modi surname" remarks, Mr Nadda alleged that "lies, personal slander and negative politics are integral" to his politics.
Read here Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot targeted the BJP over its "dictatorship".
This is politics with the gloves off, says Shashi Tharoor on Rahul Gandhi's conviction
30 MPs detained as opposition holds protest
Over 30 opposition MPs, including those from the Congress, were detained on Friday as they took out a protest march from Parliament House, alleging that democracy is in "danger" and demanding a JPC probe into the Adani issue.
Prominent leaders, including K C Venugopal, Adhir Chowdhury, K Suresh, Manickam Tagore, Imran Pratapgarhi and Mohammed Javed, were stopped by the police and detained at Vijay Chowk here for violating prohibitory orders, the opposition said.
"Over 30 MPs from opposition parties had to be detained for violation of Section 144 (prohibitory orders)," a senior Delhi Police officer said. The Delhi Police said those detained have been taken to a nearby police station.
We will fight this battle both legally and politically, tweets Jaiwam Ramesh after Rahul Gandhi's disqualification
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Rahul Gandhi being disqualified from the Lok Sabha.
Rahul Gandhi disqualified from parliament day after conviction in 2019 criminal defamation case
Police detain Karnataka Congress chief over Rahul Gandhi conviction row
Karnataka police detained Congress state president DK Shivakumar and other party leaders and workers who were protesting against the Surat Court verdict against Rahul Gandhi.
"Their (BJP) party will collapse in Karnataka. It is on the verge of collapse. They are just trying to blackmail all leaders & contractors. We're with people and people are with us. Their voice is our voice. We want to see Karnataka regain its glory," Mr Shivakumar told mediapersons.
Opposition March To Parliament On Rahul Gandhi's Sentencing In Defamation Case
Day After Conviction In Defamation Case, Rahul Gandhi Visits Parliament
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi paid a brief visit to the Parliament this morning even as a two-year jail sentence in a defamation case threatens to cancel his Lok Sabha membership. He left after the Lok Sabha was adjourned till noon amid protests.
Mr Gandhi, a MP from Kerala's Wayanad, was convicted yesterday and sentenced to two years in jail for his alleged remarks over the 'Modi' surname. A Gujarat court granted him bail for 30 day to appeal the decision.
Read moreRahul Gandhi To Attend Parliament
Day after conviction in a defamation case, Rahul Gandhi to attend Lok Sabha proceedings
Leaders of several parties attended strategy meeting at Mallikarjun Kharge's chamber in Parliament.
Mallikarjun Kharge on JP Nadda's comments
They (BJP) are doing this to sidestep the main issue. Congress has always stood by OBC, SC, ST, Backward class and minorities and fought for them: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge
Lies, slander part of Rahul Gandhi's politics, people will punish him: BJP Chief
BJP president J P Nadda Friday claimed that Rahul Gandhi has a habit of levelling fabricated allegations having no connection with facts while alleging the Congress leader has a "huge arrogance but little understanding".
In a series of tweets amid a political fight between the BJP and the Congress following Gandhi's conviction in a defamation case over the "Modi surname" remarks, Nadda alleged that "lies, personal slander and negative politics is integral" to his politics.
People's "punishment" to him will be more severe in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls than in 2019 when he lost in Amethi and the Congress was routed nationally, the BJP leader said.
Congress to meet President Murmu to discuss Rahul's conviction
The Congress has decided to take to the streets to protest Rahul Gandhi's conviction and will meet President Droupadi Murmu along with other parties.
The main opposition party announced a mass agitation on Thursday immediately after Rahul Gandhi was convicted by a Surat court in a defamation case and said it will not just fight the case legally but also politically.
Rahul Gandhi Disqualified As MP, Say Legal Experts. Congress Plans Protest
Smarting from the Rahul Gandhi conviction in a defamation case, the Congress has called a conferral of opposition leaders today.
The meeting is expected to begin at 10 am.
Rahul Gandhi, 52, was found guilty of defamation for a 2019 campaign trail remark implying that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was a criminal. However, he was granted bail and his sentence was suspended for 30 days to let him appeal the decision.
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