Lok Sabha Secretariat has notified restoration of membership of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. He will, henceforth, continue to represent Wayanad (Kerala) constituency in Kerala.

“In view of order dated August 4, 2023, of the Supreme Court of India, the disqualification of Shri Rahul Gandhi, notified vide Gazette Notification no. 21/4(3)/2023/TO(B) dated March 24, 2023, in terms of the provisions of Article 102(1)(e) of the Constitution of India read with Section 8 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, has ceased to operate subject to further judicial pronouncements,” a notification issued on Monday said.

Twitter bio

With his Lok Sabha membership restored, Gandhi changed his Twitter bio to ‘Member of Parliament’ from the earlier “Dis’Qualified MP” description. His Twitter bio now describes him as a member of the Indian National Congress and a Member of Parliament.

Gandhi had to lose his membership, after he was awarded imprisonment by a court in a matter related with alleged remarks on a particular surname. He did not get any relief from the High Court after which he moved to the Supreme Court. On August 4, the apex court stayed his conviction which was ordered by the judgment dated March 23, 2023 of the Court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Surat

Now, Gandhi is expected to lead the debate from opposition bench on the no confidence motion, scheduled to begin on Tuesday.

Soon after the Lok Sabha Secretariat communication, Gandhi reached the Parliament House and offered floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi’s statue before entering the House to attend proceedings around noon. But the House was adjourned within minutes.

‘Welcome step’

Inside the Parliament premises, Gandhi was also seen spending time with his mother and Lok Sabha MP Sonia Gandhi. Gandhi was accorded a warm welcome by the Congress and other opposition MPs on his arrival in Parliament which saw festive scenes at the main gate with sweets being distributed and slogans being raised in favour of the former AICC Chief.

Senior Congress leaders and workers hailed Gandhi’s reinstatement as an MP, with party chief Mallikarjun Kharge saying that the decision was a “welcome step” and it brings relief to the people of India, and especially to Wayanad.

“Whatever time is left of their tenure, BJP and Modi government should utilise that by concentrating on actual governance rather than denigrating Democracy by targeting opposition leaders,” Kharge said on Twitter.

Several Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) leaders hailed Gandhi’s return as an MP with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav saying he hoped that the Uttar Pradesh assembly membership of party leader Mohammad Azam Khan and his son Abdulla Azam too will be restored. Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Chief Farooq Abdullah said it is very good that Gandhi is back in the House.

Playing down Gandhi’s return to Lok Sabha, BJP MP Sushil Kumar Modi asserted that Rahul “has not been made ‘dosh-mukt (acquitted)‘ and only a stay has been given on the conviction, the matter is still pending with the court in Gujarat and we should wait for that” he said.

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