Disqualification of Rahul from LS sparks protests in Wayanad

Amid Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification from the Parliament, angry Congress workers in Wayanad came out in protest in large numbers. The workers blocked roads and shouted slogans against the union government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Angry Congress workers came out in Wayanad, Rahul Gandhi’s Lok Sabha constituency in north Kerala, as news about his disqualification from the lower house of Parliament surfaced and blocked roads at several places shouting slogans against the union government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Workers laid siege to many central government offices in the district and police also stepped up security for BJP-RSS offices in the district. (Agencies)

Workers laid siege to many central government offices in the district and police also stepped up security for BJP-RSS offices in the district. Gandhi was in his constituency three days back after taking a break from his Karnataka tour.

“This is witch-hunt. He will bounce back with renewed vigour to unseat Modi,” a worker turned emotional in Kalpetta. Party leaders have asked agitated workers to keep utmost restraint as the sleepy hilly district turned noisy in no time.

Besides Wayanad party workers carried out protest rallies throughout the state. Train traffic was disrupted in Kozhikode for few minutes after Youth Congress workers took out a procession to the railway station. In 2019 election Gandhi won the seat with a margin of over 4 lakh votes. The disqualification will also bar the 52-year-old leader from contesting poll for eight years, if it was not stayed by a higher court.

“Modi is scared of Rahul Gandhi that is why he was unseated with the speed of wind. But he will have to pay for hounding Gandhi like this. People will never forgive Modi,” said party legislator from Kalpetta T Siddique. Former Defence Minister A K Antony, opposition leader V D Satheesan, senior leader Ramesh Chennithala and many others criticised the move. “It is a black day for democracy,” said Antony in the state capital.

The sudden decision of the Lok Sabha secretariat also saw a marked shift in dynamics of opposition parties as they all rallied behind the beleaguered leader. Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan was among first few leaders from the opposition to decry the decision. “A prominent leader of the opposition is attacked like this. What respect do they give to our constitutional values? The use of force to suppress dissent is a fascist method. All democratic forces in the country should stand together and condemn the action taken against Rahul Gandhi,” he said in his Facebook post.