Rahul Gandhi Launches Scathing Attack on PM Modi Following Disqualification from Parliament
After being disqualified from parliament, Rahul Gandhi, the top opposition leader, launched a blistering attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Mr. Gandhi accused the Prime Minister of being afraid of his next speech and referred to Veer Savarkar when asked why he didn’t apologize for his comments in London and during the defamation trial in which he was convicted.
According to Mr. Gandhi, “I have been disqualified because the Prime Minister is scared of my next speech. I have seen fear in his eyes. That’s why they don’t want me to speak in Parliament.”
When responding to the BJP’s call for an apology, Mr. Gandhi said, “My name is not Savarkar. I am a Gandhi. I won’t apologize.” He also refuted the BJP’s allegations that he had sought the intervention of international forces in the country’s domestic affairs. He clarified that he had asked the Speaker to let him respond on the floor of the House to the accusations made against him regarding his London remarks.
Mr. Gandhi stated, “BJP leaders claimed that I am helping anti-India forces. I told the Speaker that it is my right to respond to these allegations. But he didn’t allow me. I have only one step, and that is to fight for the truth and to defend the democratic nature of this country. Disqualify me for life, jail me for life, I will continue going.”
In response, the BJP doubled down on its attack on Mr. Gandhi, claiming that the Congress was portraying him as a victim for political gain. Former Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said, “He is not the only one. 32 leaders have been disqualified across the country, including six from the BJP. The Congress is trying to project Rahul Gandhi as a victim for electoral gains in Karnataka.”
Mr. Gandhi, the face of the Congress, was convicted of defamation in Gujarat, the home state of PM Modi. As a result, he was disqualified from parliament the following day and sentenced to two years in prison. However, he has yet to appeal the verdict in a higher court.
Despite his disqualification and legal challenges, Mr. Gandhi remains undeterred. He confidently stated, “Do I look worried? I’m excited.”
The origins of the case against Mr. Gandhi can be traced back to a comment he made during a 2019 election rally in Kolar, Karnataka, where he appeared to insinuate that PM Modi is a criminal. Mr. Gandhi had stated, “How come all thieves have Modi as the common surname,” leading to several defamation cases being filed against him across various states.
The BJP interpreted Mr. Gandhi’s statement as a smear campaign against those who share the Modi surname and the OBC community.