The lower house of India’s parliament, known as Lok Sabha, has reinstated opposition Congress Party leader, Rahul Gandhi as a member.
This came after the Supreme Court suspended Gandhi conviction for defamation last week.
In a statement on Monday, August 7, 2023, Utpal Kumar Singh, Secretary-General of the Lok Sabha, declared that Gandhi’s suspension “has ceased to operate subject to further judicial pronouncements.”
Gandhi was convicted in March in a case brought by a legislator from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over 2019 comments deemed insulting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and others with the same name, including the legislator.
Upon his conviction, Gandhi lost his parliamentary seat and was jailed for two years but granted bail.
However, on Friday, August 4, 2023, The Supreme Court suspended the conviction, allowing Gandhi to return to parliament and contest a general election due next year.
Justice BR Gavai, who headed the bench of three judges that suspended the conviction, declared that while Gandhi’s comments were “not in good taste” and he “ought to have been more careful while making public speeches”, the conviction not only punished Gandhi but also voters who had elected him to represent their constituency.
With his Lok Sabha membership restored, Gandhi changed his Twitter bio from “Dis’Qualified MP” to “Member of Parliament” description.
Gandhi, 53, represents Wayanad in the lower house.
Gandhi was accorded a warm welcome by the Congress and other opposition MPs on his arrival in Parliament on Monday. Senior Congress party leaders and workers praised Gandhi’s reinstatement as an MP.
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Congress party Chief, Mallikarjun Kharge noted that the decision was a “welcome step” and it brings relief to the people of India, and especially to Wayanad.
“Whatever time is left of their tenure, BJP and Modi government should utilise that by concentrating on actual governance rather than denigrating Democracy by targeting opposition leaders.”
Mallikarjun Kharge
Congress party leader, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also lauded Gandhi’s return to Lok Sabha, saying “the voice of the real issues of the people” will once again reverberate in Parliament.”
Additionally, Fellow Congress party MP, Shashi Tharoor welcomed the announcement “with enormous relief.”
“He can now resume his duties in the Lok Sabha [lower house of parliament] to serve the people of India and his constituents… A victory of justice and for our democracy,” Tharoor said
Gandhi To Take Part In No-Confidence Motion Against Modi Government
Rahul Gandhi’s return as an MP comes as a boost to the opposition ahead of the no-confidence motion against the Modi government. Gandhi will take part in the no-confidence motion and is set to be one of the key speakers of the opposition bloc known by the acronym, INDIA.
Last month, the Congress Party joined forces with more than 20 other opposition parties in a political coalition named INDIA to collectively take on the Modi government in the general election. INDIA stands for “Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance.”
The debate on the no-confidence motion will take place on August 8 and 9 in the Lok Sabha and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will reply on August 10.
According to a senior Congress leader, the no-confidence motion has been invoked to compel Prime Minister Narendra Modi to come to the House and speak on the grave situation prevailing in Manipur.
When the no-confidence motion is moved, all issues are included in it, though the government can’t be dislodged, its failures can be exposed through it, the leader said.
The leader added that it will make people understand what the real issues facing the country are, and the actual picture of the nation will come to the fore.
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