Exclusive: "Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi Not OBCs," Says Shashi Tharoor On Rahul Gandhi Row

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor today condemned the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi from the Lok Sabha after conviction in a criminal defamation case filed by a BJP leader in Gujarat. Mr Gandhi was convicted and sentenced to two years in jail in the defamation case filed in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state over asking if anyone with the surname Modi was a "thief". Mr Tharoor told NDTV today that Mr Gandhi was not at all suggesting that "everyone with the Modi surname are thieves." "Nirav Modi and Lalit Modi are not Other Backward Classes (OBCs)," Mr Tharoor said. "The conviction (of Mr Gandhi) has very little backing. Look at the campaign speeches of very senior ministers, even the Prime Minister," Mr Tharoor said.