On March 23, 2023, Rahul Gandhi, Congress leader and Member of Parliament from Wayanad, was convicted in a criminal defamation case for his remarks on the Modi surname. The BJP MLA Purnesh Modi filed a complaint against the Congress leader over an alleged remark made by Gandhi, saying: How come all thieves have Modi as their common surname? He was sentenced to two years in jail, but he was granted bail and the sentence was suspended for 30 days. The next day, the Lok Sabha Secretariat issued a notification that Rahul Gandhi was disqualified from the House with immediate effect.
The election Commission may announce a new election schedule for the constituency, because of the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi's seat in Wayanad.
In addition to losing his seat, Rahul Gandhi will lose several privileges that are enjoyed by members of Parliament under Articles 105 and 194 of the Constitution.
These privileges include immunity from civil and criminal proceedings in respect of whatever he said or voted in Parliament, as well as benefits such as salary, daily allowances, travel allowances, and travelling facilities.
He won't be able to contest any election for six years after completing his sentence, making it a total of eight years from the date of conviction.
The disqualification means that Rahul Gandhi will not be able to contest the general election in 2024 if his conviction is overturned by a higher court before the elections. The government is likely to ask him to vacate his official residence in Delhi because of the loss of such privileges.
The disqualification has caused reactions from politicians across the spectrum. Congress leader Shashi Tharoor called it Politics Gloves Off, suggesting that it bodes ill for democracy.