Rahul Gandhi brands Adani a "symbol of corruption" and says neither disqualification nor imprisonment will prevent him from confronting PM Modi

• Image Credit: Internet

• Apr 16, 2023 | Kabir Chakraborty

Mr. Gandhi's appearance was also the first in a series of events planned for him ahead of the Karnataka assembly elections on May 10.

Digital
Desk:  Just over four years after making the remark
about "Modi and thieves" that led to his conviction and
disqualification from the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi on Sunday called
industrialist Gautam Adani a "symbol of corruption" in the country
and reiterated that, despite his disqualification, he would continue to raise
questions about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's relationship with Adani.

color:black;letter-spacing:.05pt">"They (the BJP) don't want me to speak
in Parliament." They are concerned that I may raise concerns about Adani.
They excluded me from Parliament, believing that I would remain mute and
fearful. I'm not afraid. "I will ask the Prime Minister again," he
declared, speaking to a large crowd of Congress workers in Kolar. "I will
not stop until I get answers," he declared. Disqualification or
incarceration will have no effect on me."

He
was speaking at the Jai Bharath Satyagraha in Kolar, some 80 kilometres from
Bengaluru, which was staged to protest his disqualification and to demand for
the preservation of democracy. Mr. Gandhi's appearance was also the first in a
series of events planned for him ahead of the Karnataka assembly elections on
May 10.

"In Parliament, I questioned the Prime Minister about
his relationship with Adani," Mr. Gandhi stated. They turned off my
microphone first, and then BJP ministers spread misinformation about me. When I
attempted to respond as a member, the Speaker refused to let me. They don't
want me to speak in Parliament, therefore they disqualify me." Mr. Gandhi
stated that for the first time in history, members of the ruling party
obstructed Parliamentary procedures, although the opposition generally does so.

color:black;letter-spacing:.05pt">Mr. Gandhi made the now-controversial comment
on April 13, 2019, during the Lok Sabha election campaign. He was elected to
the Parliament from Wayanad in the same polls. Speaking at an election rally in
Kolar Gold Fields (KGF) in Kolar district on alleged corruption and bad
governance under Prime Minister Narendra Modi since 2014, he asked why all
thieves bore the Modi surname, naming Lalit Modi, Nirav Modi, and Prime
Minister Narendra Modi as examples.

He
was campaigning for former Union minister and seven-time Kolar MP K.H.
Muniyappa, who was defeated by BJP candidate S. Muniswamy in an election in
which the BJP won 25 of Karnataka's 28 Lok Sabha seats.

color:black;letter-spacing:.05pt">Mr. Gandhi was convicted in the defamation
case by a Surat court, which sentenced him to two years in prison and
disqualified him. The court, which was hearing a petition brought by BJP MLA
from Surat West and former minister Purnesh Modi, delayed the punishment for 30
days to allow Mr. Gandhi to file an appeal.

color:black;letter-spacing:.05pt">Rahul reacts to the OBC controversy

Responding
to claims that he insulted the OBCs with his words, Mr. Gandhi pushed the Prime
Minister to release the details of the 2011 caste census so that all
communities could participate in development.

color:black;letter-spacing:.05pt">"Give SC/STs reservation based on
population." I dare you to expand the reservation matrix above 50%.
Approximately 7% of Government of India secretaries are from the OBC, SC, or ST
categories. Accept the challenge, and then we can debate whether or not I
insulted OBCs," he remarked.

Earlier,
in launching the event, AICC President Mallikarjuna Kharge stated that when
questions were made about Adani's ability to protect public sector
undertakings, a FIR was lodged, and Mr. Gandhi was later found guilty by a
court.

Among
others, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, KPCC President D.K. Shivakumar,
AICC General Secretary Randeep Surjewala and K.C. Venugopal were present.