'Truth prevails': Cong, allies hail order in Rahul defamation case

Truth always wins, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on Friday after the Supreme Court stayed his conviction in a criminal defamation case and paved the way for his return to Parliament, even as Opposition leaders hailed the verdict and called it a victory of democracy.

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Gandhi said that his duty to protect the idea of India remained the same, and later, at a press conference, added that he had complete clarity about his work.

"If not today, then tomorrow, if not tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, truth always wins... come what may, my duty remains the same. Protect the idea of India," Gandhi tweeted.

Later in the day, at a press conference, Gandhi said he had complete clarity about what he had to do. "I am very thankful to the people who helped us and the love and support that the public has given," he added.

Congress leader and senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, who represented Gandhi in the Supreme Court, said he hoped the former will not have to wait.

"If the Lok Sabha secretariat asks for law ministry opinion (as it did in Faizal's case), it will be malafide and unfair. There is no requirement for any consultation. After the SC order, the Lok Sabha can immediately withdraw his disqualification," he added.