New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's disqualification on Friday has drawn reactions from several leaders from Congress, other opposition parties and the BJP alike. The Lok Sabha Secretariat's notice for disqualification is a result of a court order and not a political call, BJP leaders said Friday, stating that everyone is equal before the law.
Union Minister of State for Law and Justice S P S Baghel termed the disqualification "lawful" and asserted that everyone is equal before the law. He noted that a BJP MLA was recently disqualified in Uttar Pradesh following his conviction in a criminal case.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said the decision was a legal one and alleged the Congress was questioning the judiciary. "It was a legal decision and not a call taken by the political party. It was taken by a court. The Congress should clarify who they are protesting against," he said.
Senior BJP leader Bhupender Yadav said Gandhi had got enough opportunities to explain himself, and provide evidence and all rules have been followed leading to his disqualification. "When the order has come now the Congress is protesting against the order. They are abusing the legal system," he said.
"In this country, the system runs according to the law and prior to this similar action has been taken against other public representatives. Not just Gandhi, but the Congress party should apologize for insulting the OBC community. They should work towards the development of the country instead of defaming the country's democracy in London," he said.
BJP MP from Kaushambi, Vinod Kumar Sonkar said Gandhi had insulted an entire community and he should be punished. "This is a decision of the court and the way he defamed a community he should be punished. This disqualification is a good message that no one is above the law," he said.
Union Minister and BJP leader Dharmendra Pradhan said what Rahul Gandhi is claiming to be the truth is actually arrogance. "I want to ask Mallikarjun Kharge, is abusing the OBC is considered near to speaking the truth? Do you consider the feudal mindset as truth? If you consider all this as the truth, then I am sorry for Mallikarjun Kharge but this is not the truth its arrogance. This is a mindset of dictatorship and feudalism. The court has shown them the truth," he said.
MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan, also justifying Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification, said, "Whosoever does a wrong thing, that person has to face the consequences for their wrongdoing. Rahul Gandhi will have to face the consequences for what he has done."
Union Minister Anurag Thakur said Gandhi believes he is above Parliament, as he too, justified his disqualification. "Rahul Gandhi is on a bail in a corruption case of National Herald...He is habitual of going far from truth in Parliament...I think Rahul Gandhi believes he's above Parliament, law, and the country. He's privileged and Gandhi family can do anything," Thakur said.
A day after he was convicted by a Surat court in a 2019 criminal defamation case, Gandhi was disqualified as MP from Wayanad by the Lok Sabha Secretariat on Friday. Following his disqualification, Gandhi would not be able to contest elections for eight years unless a higher court stays his conviction and sentence.
