Supreme Court stay doesn’t alter the fact that Rahul Gandhi is a convict, says BJP | India News

NEW DELHI: BJP on Friday maintained that the Supreme Court order staying Rahul Gandhi’s conviction did not alter the fact about him having been convicted for defaming a community, emphasising that the apex court had also observed that the Congress leader’s behaviour was unbecoming of a senior leader. Party MP Mahesh Jethmalani, a senior advocate who appeared for complainant Purnesh Modi against Rahul, said that notwithstanding the SC order, in the eyes of law, Rahul was still a convict.

“Stay means that the consequences of conviction — like disqualification — will be stayed,” Jethmalani said, adding that for the conviction itself to be overturned, it would have to be appealed in the sessions court. Jethmalani’s Rajya Sabha colleague Anil Baluni focused on the court’s observation that Rahul’s jibe — “how come all thieves have Modi as their common surname” — was in bad taste and did not behove of a leader holding an important position.
“One should look at the observations made by the SC. The court has said that Rahul Gandhi’s statement was not in good taste and people holding public office should maintain restrain and caution,” Baluni, who heads the party’s social media cell, said. He added that Rahul may have survived for now but it may not be for long as he was accused in several other cases, including for mudslinging at Hindutva ideologue Veer Savarkar and in the National Herald case, in which he is on bail.

“Conviction in any of these can lead to his disqualification, again. Let’s not forget that veteran leaders like Lalu Prasad, J Jayalalitha among others have faced disqualification, following convictions. Rahul Gandhi is on thin ice here. But for now the Parliament can do with some levity,” he added.