Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was on Monday accorded a warm welcome by Congress and other opposition MPs on his arrival in Parliament after his Lok Sabha membership was restored.
Gandhi reached the Parliament House complex around 12 noon and headed straight to the Mahatma Gandhi statue and paid floral tributes.
Congress MPs and those of the opposition INDIA bloc welcomed him at the gate number one of Parliament raised slogans.
Rahul Gandhi’s status as the MP from Kerala’s Wayanad was restored after the Lok Sabha secretariat issued a notification in the wake of the Supreme Court staying his conviction in a defamation case on Friday.
The Lok Sabha Secretariat issued a notification announcing that his disqualification has been revoked and his membership restored.
“In continuation of notification … dated 24th March, 2023, the Supreme Court of India has passed an order on 04.08.2023 in Special Leave to Appeal (Crl.) No. 8644/2023, staying the conviction of Shri Rahul Gandhi, Member of Lok Sabha representing the Wayanad Parliamentary Constituency of Kerala, which was ordered by the judgment dated 23.03.2023 of the Court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Surat…
“In view of order dated 04.08.2023 of the Supreme Court of India, the disqualification of Shri Rahul Gandhi … in terms of the provisions of Article 102(1)(e) of the Constitution of India read with Section 8 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, has ceased to operate subject to further judicial pronouncements,” the notification read.
Following restoration of his membership, the Congress said it would like him to be a key speaker in the debate on no-confidence motion likely to be taken up in Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
Gandhi was disqualified as a Lok Sabha member on March 24, with effect from March 23 after a Gujarat court convicted him in a defamation case and sentenced him to two years in jail.
A punishment for two years and above automatically disqualifies a lawmaker.
The Supreme Court on Friday last stayed his conviction, paving the way for restoration of his Lok Sabha membership.
He represents Wayanad in the lower house.
Meanwhile, senior Congress leaders and party workers hailed Rahul Gandhi’s reinstatement as a Lok Sabha MP, saying it is a victory of truth and justice.
As soon as the Lok Sabha membership of Gandhi was restored, celebrations broke out at the AICC headquarters here with workers dancing and raising slogans in favour of the former Congress president.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge distributed sweets among leaders of the opposition bloc INDIA during a meeting in his chamber ahead of the commencement of the House proceedings.
In a tweet, he said, “The decision to reinstate Shri @RahulGandhi as an MP is a welcome step.It brings relief to the people of India, and especially to Wayanad.”
“Whatever time is left of their tenure, BJP and Modi Govt should utilise that by concentrating on actual governance rather than denigrating Democracy by targeting opposition leaders,” he said.
AICC general secretary, Organisation, KC Venugopal said, “Democracy has won! India wins”.
“Sh. @RahulGandhi ji will continue his parliamentary journey by speaking the truth without any hesitation. He is the voice of India, he can never be silenced,” he said.
Congress whip in Lok Sabha Manickam Tagore said, “Welcome decision. Conspiracy defeated. RG returns.”
Reacting to the development, Congress’ deputy leader in Rajya Sabha Pramod Tiwari said, “Truth has triumphed, and lies has been defeated. INDIA has won, our lion Rahul Gandhi has won, Modi Ji, your defeat has begun.”
In a tweet, senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said, “With enormous relief, welcome the official announcement of @RahulGandhi’s reinstatement. He can now resume his duties in the Lok Sabha to serve the people of India and his constituents in Wayanad. A victory for justice and for our democracy!”
Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi also hailed Gandhi’s reinstatement as Lok Sabha MP.
