DEMOCRACY in India is under attack! That was pretty much the sum total of the reaction from a cross section of Indian political leaders on the disqualification of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as member of parliament.
Various Indian parties from across the political spectrum have condemned Gandhi’s disqualification as an MP.
“Everyone knows that Rahul Gandhi… is raising his voice against the dictator. He’s showing the courage to call out what is wrong,” the party had said in a statement on Thursday.
Rahul Gandhi
In his reaction to the verdict, Gandhi tweeted a quote by Mahatma Gandhi, “My religion is based on truth and non-violence. Truth is my God, non-violence the means to get it.”
Knowing that the Opposition would be united in decrying the disqualification move, the BJP tried to defend it. “He (Gandhi) stands convicted and as per law conviction leads to automatic disqualification. The Congress knows this,” BJP spokesperson Amit Malviya said.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra
Following his disqualification Rahul Gandhi will be unable to contest future elections unless his sentence is either stayed or he is acquitted.
Shortly after the news of Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification broke, his sister and party leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra questioned the Bharatiya Janata Party for allegedly rescuing “who looted the country’s money”, naming Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi and Mehul Choksi.
“Nirav Modi Scam – 14,000 Cr. Lalit Modi Scam – 425 Cr. Mehul Choksi scam – 13,500 Cr. Why has the BJP come to the rescue of those who looted the country’s money? Why is the party running away from investigation? Those who are raising questions on this, cases are brought against them. Does the BJP support the corrupt?” Priyanka Gandhi tweeted in Hindi.
Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress president
Kharge said the Modi government was “most afraid of Rahul Gandhi and Congress party”.
“For killing democracy, they have cancelled the parliament membership of Mr Gandhi. They want to silence those who speak the truth. Countrymen will not tolerate this dictatorship.”
Uddhav Thackeray, ex-Maharashtra chief minister
The opposition leader and former chief minister of Maharashtra state, said “calling a thief a thief has become a crime in our country”.
“Thieves and looters are still free and Rahul Gandhi was punished. This is a direct murder of democracy. All government systems are under pressure. This is the beginning of the end of dictatorship,” he said.
Jairam Ramesh, Congress leader
“We will fight this battle both legally and politically. We will not be intimidated or silenced,” senior Congress politician Jairam Ramesh tweeted.
Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal chief minister
West Bengal chief minister and chairperson of the All India Trinamool Congress Mamata Banerjee tweeted: “In PM Modi’s New India, opposition leaders have become the prime target of BJP! While BJP leaders with criminal antecedents are inducted into the cabinet, Opposition leaders are disqualified for their speeches. Today, we have witnessed a new low for our constitutional democracy.”
Shashi Tharoor, Congress MP
Shashi Tharoor, Congress MP, expressed his shock on Twitter, saying: “I’m stunned by this action and by its rapidity, within 24 hours of the court verdict and while an appeal was known to be in process. This is politics with the gloves off and it bodes ill for our democracy.”
Mahua Moitra, Trinamool Congress leader
MP and Trinamool Congress leader Mahua Moitra tweeted: “The AITC strongly condemn the developments that have unfolded. @RahulGandhi ‘s disqualification is the last nail in the coffin for constitutional freedoms in India.”
Manoj Jha, RJD leader
Manoj Jha, an MP with the regional Rashtriya Janata Dal party, wrote on Twitter that democracy had been “declared dead.”
“How bizarre and obnoxious. Shamelessness has got a new address. Yet don’t say democracy is dead in India. Parties in opposition must see that it is not about ‘elections’ alone but the fight must be to resuscitate democracy…” Jha wrote in a separate tweet.
Derek O’Brien, Trinamool leader
MP Derek O’Brien, also of the All India Trinamool Congress, posted a video on Twitter, saying, “The BJP is desperate to silence the voice of the opposition… We know they will go to all kinds of lows but this is the low of the low… BJP, shame on you.”
