Leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress locked horns as a major row erupted after Germany waded into the controversy surrounding Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification as Lok Sabha member. Germany’s remark was welcomed by senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, who was then blasted by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju. The Law Minister taunted Rahul Gandhi for “inviting foreign powers for interference into India’s internal matters.”
It all started when spokesperson for Germany’s foreign ministry said their government has taken “note of the verdict of first instance” against Rahul Gandhi and the “suspension of his parliamentary mandate”. “To our knowledge, Mr Gandhi is in a position to appeal the verdict. It will then become clear whether this verdict will stand and whether the suspension of his mandate has any basis,” the spokesperson told a regular media briefing.
“We expect that the standards of judicial independence and fundamental democratic principles will equally apply to the proceedings against Rahul Gandhi,” the spokesperson added.
Hours later, Congress leader Digvijaya Singh thanked German foreign ministry for “taking note of how the democracy is being compromised in India through persecution of Rahul Gandhi.” Reacting to Digvijay Singh’s tweet, Union law minister Kiren Rijiju taunted Rahul Gandhi for “inviting foreign powers for interference into India’s internal matters.”
War of words heats up
He tweeted, “Thank you Rahul Gandhi for inviting foreign powers for interference into India’s internal matters. Remember, Indian Judiciary can’t be influenced by foreign interference. India won’t tolerate ‘foreign influence’ anymore because our Prime Minister.”
The war of words esclated when Pawan Khera, Congress’s media and publicity department head, hit back at Rijiju asking him to answer the questions asked by Rahul Gandhi on Adani issue “instead of misleading people”.
“Mr. Rijiju, why divert from the main issue? The issue is that the Prime Minister cannot answer Rahul Gandhi’s questions about Adani. Instead of misleading people, please answer the questions?” Khera tweeted.
Notably, Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification as Lok Sabha MP following his conviction in a defamation case has irked Congress, which held massive protests in form of Satyagraha to oppose the decision. Congress leaders and party workers in huge numbers gathered in the national capital in a massive show of strength to oppose Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification.
Rahul Gandhi’s Wayanad seat fell vacant after he was disqualified as an MP following his conviction in a case filed over his remarks about people with the surname Modi. Shortly after the verdict, Gandhi was granted bail and was given 30 days to appeal before a higher court.
