Bhubaneswar: The disqualification of senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi from the Lok Sabha evoked mixed reactions from 3 major parties in Odisha. While the Congress condemned as a conspiracy, the ruling BJD and main Opposition BJP said the decision was taken as per the law.
Senior Congress leader and MLA Narasingh Mishra said Rahul Gandhi was a victim of pre-planned conspiracy. “It (his disqualification) has proved the murder of democracy which we have been telling so long. Without respecting the democratic norms and practices, Rahul has been disqualified in a haste. The Congress will move higher court in this regard and the truth will prevail,” he said.
On the other hand, Leader of the Opposition (LoP) and BJP MLA Jaynarayan Mishra said nobody was above law. “Is law of the land not applicable to Rahul Gandhi? Law is equal for everybody. Since the Congress leader has been convicted in a case by the court, he has been disqualified from Parliament,” he said.
Stating that the Congress was giving a political colour to the decision, Mishra said the decision cannot be termed as partisan. “The Congress can appeal in the higher court. But Rahul’s disqualification will prevail,” he added.
Echoing LoP’s opinion, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said it has been a tradition of the Congress to cry foul when its leaders are convicted by the courts. “Rahul Gandhi used foul language against the country’s prime minister. It has become their habit. He himself tore up the ordinance brought by his party to give reprieve to convicted lawmakers in 2013. Today he is reacting after being disqualified by the same law,” he added.
The vice-president of ruling BJD in Odisha, Pramila Mallik said Rahul has been disqualified as per the law of the land. “Nobody can disrespect the verdict of the court. The decision of the disqualification has been taken as per the order of the court. It is the prerogative of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha,” she said.
Assembly adjourned
Meanwhile, the Odisha Assembly was adjourned till Monday after the Congress members stalled the proceedings of the House by creating a ruckus over the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi.
