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NATION APRIL 07, 2023 | The Indian Eye 8

BJP cries ‘foreign influence’

as US and Germany remark on

Rahul’s disqualification from LS

On March 23, Rahul Gandhi was convicted and sentenced to two years imprisonment in a

defamation case; he was disqualified as an MP from the Lok Sabha (LS)

OUR BUREAU
Berlin/New Delhi

riggering a major row, German
foreign ministry on Thursday
Tsaid that they have “taken
note” of Rahul Gandhi’s disqualifica-
tion from Lok Sabha. The comment
led to a war of words between Union
Law Minister Kiren Rijiju and Con-
gress leaders. In a tweet, Rijiju today
stated, “Thank you Rahul Gandhi
for inviting foreign powers for inter-
ference into India’s internal matters.
Remember, Indian Judiciary can’t be
influenced by foreign interference.
India won’t tolerate ‘foreign influ-
ence’ anymore because our Prime
Minister is:- Shri @narendramodi Ji”.
Rijiju’s remark was in re-
sponse to senior Congress lead- Congress leader Rahul Gandhi with Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi at Parliament House in New Delhi on Wednesday (ANI)
er and Rajya Sabha MP Digvi-
jaya Singh’s tweet thanking the
German foreign affairs ministry ing the opposition parties who have ment of State Principal Deputy help to change government. Thank
for “taking note of how democra- been accusing the Centre of diverting Spokesperson Vedant Patel said that them when help forthcoming. Any
cy is being compromised through attention from the Adani issue. the US is watching Rahul Gandhi’s more proof needed?” she added.
persecution of Rahul Gandhi”. During a press briefing that was case in Indian courts. Under sharp attack from the BJP,
Taking to Twitter, Digvijaya aired on German state-owned inter- Patel, responding to a question the Congress on Thursday sought to
Singh said, “Thank you German For- national broadcaster Deutsche Welle on Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification distance itself from remarks of party
eign Affairs Ministry and Richard (DW), a German ministry spokesper- said that the US engages with the leader Digvijaya Singh over the Ger-
Walker for taking note of how the son stated that her country “expects Indian government on a shared com- man Foreign Ministry’s remarks on
Democracy is being compromised in that the standards of judicial indepen- mitment to democratic values, in- the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi
India through the persecution of Ra- dence and fundamental democrat- cluding freedom of expression. from Lok Sabha, saying that the par-
hul Gandhi.” ic principles will apply in the case.” Union Finance Minister Nirma- ty firmly believes that India’s demo-
On March 23, Rahul Gand- “We have taken note of the ver- la Sitharaman on Thursday lashed cratic processes themselves have to
hi was convicted by a Surat district dict of the first instance against the out at the Congress party after par- deal with the “threats posed to de-
court and sentenced to two years im- Indian opposition politician Rahul ty leader Digvijay Singh thanked the mocracy”.
prisonment in the 2019 defamation Gandhi as well as the suspension of German Foreign Affairs Ministry for Information and Broadcasting
case over his ‘Modi surname’ remark his parliamentary mandate. To our taking note of Rahul Gandhi’s dis- Minister Anurag Thakur said Con-
made in 2019 during an election rally knowledge, Mr Gandhi is in a po- qualification from Lok Sabha. gress and Rahul Gandhi don’t be-
in Karnataka. After being convicted sition to appeal the verdict,” she is The Union Minister said that it lieve to fight India’s “democratic,
by the court, Rahul Gandhi was dis- heard saying in the clip of the brief- is apparent that the grand old party political and legal battle within coun-
qualified from the Lok Sabha. ing shared with English subtitles on wants foreign interference in “our” try”. “Disgrace to nation, @INCIn-
The sentence of two-year impris- Twitter by Richard Walkar the Chief affairs. Referring to Digvijay Singh’s dia & @RahulGandhi don’t believe
onment has been suspended for 30 International Editor of DW. tweet, Sitharaman took to Twitter to fight India’s democratic, political
days before which Rahul Gandhi has The German ministry spokes- and said, “Apparent that @INCIndia & legal battle within country, hence,
to appeal against the conviction. The person added, “It will then become wants foreign interference in our af- invite foreign powers to interfere in
disqualification of Rahul Gandhi clear whether this verdict will stand fairs. Sign Memorandum of Under- our internal matter. But New India
from Lok Sabha has been one in a se- and whether the suspension of his standing (MoU) with Communist headed by @narendramodi Ji will
ries of flashpoints between the Con- mandate has any basis.” Party of China with opaque contents. not tolerate any foreign interven-
gress party and the ruling BJP, unit- Earlier this week, US Depart- During interactions abroad, plead for tion,” Thakur said.

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