Disqualification as MP an advantage, not concerned about assassination threats: Rahul
Washington, Jun 02, 2023, IANS
Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the Indian National Congress, expressed his view that his disqualification as a Member of Parliament (MP) in India's Lok Sabha actually provided him with an advantage. According to Gandhi, this move allowed him to redefine himself without the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) even realizing it.
During a press conference held on Thursday at the National Press Club in Washington D.C., Gandhi stated, "My disqualification in many ways is an advantage because it has completely opened up new spaces for me, allowing me to completely redefine myself. I think the BJP has given me a gift, and frankly, I don't think they realize it."
Gandhi further explained, "Politics is not a linear path; it often takes unexpected turns. It is asymmetric. So, I believe they have unwittingly given me an opportunity, which is apparent right now."
In March, Rahul Gandhi was disqualified as an MP following a defamation case filed against him.
He alleged, "I am the first person in Indian history since 1947 to be given the highest punishment for defamation. My disqualification happened right after my speech on Adani in Parliament. This should explain what is going on in India."
Addressing concerns about assassination threats, Gandhi stated, "I am not concerned about threats of assassination. Everybody has to die. That's what I learned from my grandmother, Indira Gandhi, and my father, Rajiv Gandhi. You don't back down because of something like that."
During his visit to the United States, Gandhi delivered a speech at Stanford University on Wednesday, where he expressed his surprise at receiving the maximum punishment in a defamation case and subsequently being disqualified as an MP. However, he asserted that this situation has provided him with ample opportunities to work.
Gandhi is currently on a six-day visit to the US, where he is scheduled to meet with various individuals in Washington D.C. and New York.
On Tuesday, he arrived in San Francisco, marking the beginning of his visit. (Edited)