A day after being removed from the House of Representatives, the leader of the opposition, a belligerent Rahul Gandhi attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In order to explain why the Prime Minister didn't apologize for his comments made in London and during the defamation trial in which he was found guilty, Mr. Gandhi asserted that the Prime Minister is afraid of giving his next address and made a reference to Veer Savarkar.
While this was going on, the BJP intensified its criticism of Mr. Gandhi, alleging that Congress was trying to portray him as a victim in order to get support from voters.
"Since the prime minister is worried about my upcoming address, I have been disqualified. I could see the terror in his eyes. They don't want me to speak in the Parliament because of this "stated the congressman in charge.
In response to the BJP's demands for an apology, he stated: "Savarkar is not my name. A Gandhi, I am. My refusal to apologize."
He also refuted the BJP's accusations that he had asked foreign powers to interfere in the nation's internal affairs. He claimed that he had requested permission from the Speaker to address the accusations made against his remarks from London on the floor of the House.
"Leaders of the BJP asserted that I support anti-Indian elements. I informed the Speaker that I had the right to refute these charges. He however forbade me, "said he. "I only have to fight for the truth and uphold this nation's democratic principles. I won't stop running, life in prison or life in exile."
"Do I appear anxious? I'm thrilled, "Unfazed Mr. Gandhi replied.
The BJP quickly responded by restating its charge that Mr. Gandhi insulted OBCs with his comment regarding the Modi surname.
"32 leaders, including six from the BJP, have been disqualified nationwide, making him not the only one. In order to get support from voters in Karnataka, the Congress is attempting to paint Rahul Gandhi as a victim "said Ravi Shankar Prasad, a former minister for the Union.
Mr. Gandhi, the prominent representative of the Congress, was found guilty of defamation on Thursday by a court in Gujarat, the state where PM Modi is from. He received a two-year prison term, and the following day he lost his eligibility to serve as an MP. He has not yet filed a higher court appeal of the judgment.
The incident started because of Mr. Gandhi's purported allegation that PM Modi is a criminal at an electoral rally in 2019. He asked in Kolar, Karnataka, "How come to all thieves have Modi as the common surname," which sparked numerous defamation lawsuits against him across several states.
