A complaint has been lodged against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s candidacy from Raebareli, raising concerns about his nationality and a defamation case.
A complaint has been lodged against Rahul Gandhi for submitting his nomination from the Raebareli constituency in Uttar Pradesh. The complaint questions Rahul Gandhi’s nationality and refers to his recent conviction in a defamation case, challenging the validity of his nomination by the Election Commission.
Advocate Ashok Pandey, on behalf of Anirudh Pratap Singh, filed the complaint against Gandhi. The advocate registered the complaint with the Returning Officer of Raebareli, urging the cancellation of the Congress leader’s nomination on two grounds: his nationality and his conviction.
Pandeytold ANI, “Firstly, Rahul Gandhi has been convicted for two years… He is ineligible to contest elections. Even though the Supreme Court has stayed Rahul Gandhi’s conviction, unlike the verdict for Afzal Ansari allowing him to contest again, there’s no such permission granted to Rahul… Since the stay on his conviction doesn’t include permission to contest elections, he should withdraw.”
“Secondly, back in 2006, Rahul Gandhi once stated his nationality as British. Being a British citizen, he cannot constitutionally contest elections… After my complaint, Rahul Gandhi’s representative was summoned, and my complaint has been acknowledged,” the advocate further elaborated.
Congress leader Ajay Pal Singh issued a statement regarding the complaint against Rahul Gandhi, affirming that his nomination was deemed valid before and remains valid now.
The Congress leader stated, “There’s a candidate who lodged a complaint against Rahul Gandhi after the complaint period had elapsed… The complainant mentioned filing a writ challenging Rahul Gandhi’s nationality… Rahul Gandhi’s nomination was valid previously, and it remains valid now as well.”
Rahul Gandhi submitted his nomination from the Raebareli constituency on Friday, thus ending speculations about his candidacy from Amethi once more. Congress loyalist Kishori Lal Sharma will now contest the election from Amethi, facing off against Union Minister and BJP candidate Smriti Irani.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized Rahul Gandhi for not contesting from Amethi, stating on Friday, “I had mentioned that the ‘shehzade’ (Rahul Gandhi) is afraid of losing in Wayanad, and the moment voting concludes, he will seek a third seat. Now, despite all his loyalists insisting, he panicked so much in Amethi that he fled from there and is now eyeing Raebareli. These individuals keep telling people ‘Daro Mat’ (don’t be afraid). Today, I will also say to them… fear not, but don’t run away.”
#ElectionsWithHT | A complaint has been registered against #Congress leader #RahulGandhi's nomination from #Raebareli, questioning his nationality and defamation case#LokSabhaElections2024 https://t.co/L4Phyh1V7F
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