Rahul Gandhi likely to open debate on no-trust motion in Lok Sabha

The reinstatement of Rahul Gandhi’s membership of the Lok Sabha was formalised through an official notification by the Lok Sabha secretariat on Monday, the first working day of Parliament since the Friday Supreme Court stay on his conviction in a criminal defamation case.

Gandhi entered Parliament after paying tributes at the Mahatma Gandhi statue, to vociferous greetings from MPs of the Congress and like-minded Opposition parties. Gandhi will speak in the House debate on the no-trust motion from Tuesday and he could open the debate instead of party colleague Gaurav Gogoi, in whose name the motion was admitted.

The notification issued by the LS secretary general said: “In view of order dated 04.08.2023 of the Supreme Court of India, the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi, notified vide gazette notification… dated 24th March, 2023, in terms of the provisions of Article 102(1)(e) of the Constitution of India read with section 8 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, has ceased to operate subject to further judicial pronouncements.” The news of the notification triggered celebrations among Congress MPs even as party workers celebrated at the AICC and outside 10 Janpath.


Gandhi reached Parliament at around 11.30 am after the first LS adjournment due to the Opposition protests over Manipur. He first went to the Gandhi Statue to pay his tributes and was later welcomed at the entrance of the Parliament House by Congress MPs who raised “Rahul Gandhi Zindabad” slogans. Gandhi noted on Facebook: “Returned to Parliament after paying homage to Bapu.”

When the Lok Sabha reassembled at 12 noon, Gandhi entered the House accompanied by his mother Sonia Gandhi and other Congress MPs who chanted “Bharat Jodo”, “Rahul Gandhi Zindabad”. Gandhi exchanged pleasantries with party colleagues and other Opposition MPs. Shashi Tharoor draped a khadi shawl around Gandhi and pointed out that it was also National Handlooms Day.

At the Opposition floor leaders’ meeting, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge distributed sweets to celebrate Gandhi’s return. Both of them later attended a meeting of the Haryana Congress leaders. The Gandhis also visited the DMK Parliamentary Party office to pay tributes to M Karunanidhi on his death anniversary.