Gandhi, 52, was sentenced to two years in prison in Gujarat on Thursday over a speech in 2019 in which he referred to "thieves" as having the surname Modi. He is expected to appeal against the verdict. "I am fighting for the voice of India, I am ready to pay any cost," he tweeted after his disqualification.
A parliament notice issued yesterday said Gandhi stands disqualified from membership of the lower house from the date of his conviction, in compliance with the constitutional requirements. This disqualification could serve as a major setback for Gandhi, who is one of the most high-profile leaders of an opposition party in India, where there is due to be a general election next year.
Senior Congress Party politician Jairam Ramesh said that the party will not allow itself to be "intimidated".
This story is from the March 25, 2023 edition of The Independent.
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This story is from the March 25, 2023 edition of The Independent.
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