On Saturday, Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi said he was barred from parliament for questioning the prime minister about his ties with Gautam Adani, founder of the beleaguered Adani group.
Gandhi, a member of India’s main opposition Congress party, lost his seat on Friday after a Gujarat court convicted him of defamation and sentenced him to two years in prison.
He received bail and a 30-day sentence suspension to appeal.
Gandhi was charged with defamation for attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a speech. Gandhi’s party and supporters called the court verdict political.
Gandhi addressed a press conference at Congress party headquarters in New Delhi, “I have been disqualified because the prime minister is terrified of my next speech, he is scared of the next speech on Adani.”
“Gandhi added, “They don’t want that speech in parliament; that’s the issue.”
Gandhi, 52, did not explain why Modi may not enjoy his next address.
The BJP’s spokeswoman said the party had no immediate comment.
Gandhi’s Congress has lost two consecutive general elections to the BJP, most recently in 2019.
Gandhi is aiming to renew his party before the mid-2024 general election.
Gandhi ignored his parliament disqualification.
“I don’t fear disqualification… “I will keep asking, ‘what is the prime minister’s connection with Mr. Adani?'”
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