Rahul's disqualification: Sangh Parivar's latest to silence dissent says Pinarayi Vijayan
text_fieldsNew Delhi: After Congress leader, Rahul Gandhi got disqualified as Lok Sabha MP, strong dissent arose across the country from many quarters. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condemned the action saying that Sangh Parivar forces acted against the Congress leader to put silence those who spoke against them, IANS reported.
"The intolerance towards criticism is a threat to democracy, and the action taken against Gandhi must be seen in that light, and all democracy-loving people should come forward to oppose this," he said, calling the action against Rahul the latest by Sangh Parivar forces' attack on democracy.
JD-U leader and Bihar Finance Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary said the development is part of a dangerous trend in the country.
"We are surprised and shocked that a big leader like Rahul Gandhi was convicted by a CJM of Surat on Thursday, and on the very next day, he was disqualified from the membership of Lok Sabha," he said.
Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin called it an attack on progressive democratic forces. He called for the revocation of the action against Rahul, the Wayanad MP.
"I strongly condemn the fascist action of disqualifying the young leader of India, Rahul Gandhi, from the post of Member of Parliament. This intimidating tone of action appears to send a message across that even the leader of the national political party and MP does not have the democratic right to express his opinion," Stalin, the DMK party president, said.
"The District Court had given only the verdict, and there's an appeal in the High Court. The Supreme Court has to deliver the final verdict," he pointed out, implying that disqualification moves a hasty decision.
In the meantime, huge protests broke out in Kerala's Wayanad, which Rahul represents in Lok Sabha. Hundreds of people took to the streets in many towns in the LS constituency after the leader's disqualification. The protesters in various towns shouted anti-BJP slogans and warned the Centre's ruling party not to test their patience anymore.
Experts opine that Rahul Gandhi must challenge the trial court order convicting him under IPC's Sections 499 and 500 as well as his disqualification from the Lok Sabha.