Congress party’s protest against Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification as a Member of Parliament following his conviction in a 2019 defamation case veered into the fourth day. Congress MPs in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha gathered at the Congress Parliamentary Party office in the Parliament building early Monday morning. In a first, Congress was able to get leading opposition parties including TMC, DMK, BRS, CPI(M) and others to present a united front against the Centre on Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification row.
Leaders of the Opposition along with Congress party MPs wore black clothes during the meeting to register their protest against Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification.
- In a first, the Trinamool Congress party (TMC) accepted the invitation by the Leader of the opposition, Mallikarjun Kharge and joined the Congress party in its protest on Monday.
- Leaders of INC, DMK, SP, JD(U), BRS, CPI(M), RJD, NCP, CPI, IUML, MDMK, Kerala Congress, TMC, RSP, AAP, J&K NC and Shiv Sena took part in a strategy meeting of Opposition leaders at the chamber of Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge in Parliament building. The leaders wore black clothes to register their protest.
- Congress President Mallikarjun thanked ‘everyone who supported the protest.’ “I thank everyone who supported this. That is why, I thanked everyone yesterday and I thank them today as well. We welcome anyone who comes forward to protect democracy and Constitution & safeguard the people. We extend heartfelt gratitude to the people who support us.”
- In Tamil Nadu, Congress MLAs also wore black shirts and raised slogans in the state assembly against Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification. The MLAs have also planned a sit-in protest inside the assemblyIn Bihar’s Patna, leaders of Mahagathbandhan staged a protest march sporting black bands, against the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi as an MP.In Odisha, Congress MLAs arrived at the Assembly wearing black shirts in protest against the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi as an MP. House has been adjourned till 4 pm Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 2 pm and Lok Sabha till 4 pm within minutes of the commencement of proceedings today, amid protest against Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification by the Opposition MPs.
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri reacted to the Opposition’s protest against Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification. He said, “You are getting an ass to run a horse’s race…They really deserve to do some serious introspection…People of India would judge them for what they are…Fight Court’s action in the Court, you are invoking Mahabharat and Savarkar.”
Congress MP Manish Tewari said, “The manner in which Rahul Gandhi’s membership is taken away is completely undemocratic. He has the right to appeal in court. The court even gave him 30 days to appeal. Then what was the hurry to take his membership?.. It’s a black day in the history of our country. What happened was unjust. We will protest against this.”
Congress MP Pramod Tiwari said, “When we speak in Parliament, they don’t let the House function. When we speak outside, they take a decision that leads to disqualification. When we sit in protest in black clothes in front of these black-hearted people who butcher democracy, I’ll show them my black watch & tell them that your time is up & democracy would come to the country after 2024. Opposition would form the Govt with a 3/4 majority.”
