‘My guess is…’: Swara Bhasker's ‘so-called Pappu’ tweet on Rahul losing LS seat

Rahul Gandhi was disqualified from Lok Sabha on Friday, a day after he was convicted by a Surat court in a 2019 criminal defamation case over his remark on the "Modi surname".

Actor Swara Bhasker on Friday termed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's disqualification from Lok Sabha a “strong-arm tactics” for 2024 general elections, alleging that the action against him was “blatant misue of law.”

Actor Swara Bhaskar has voiced support for Congress leader Rahul Gandhi who loses his Lok Sabha seat after conviction in defamation case.(PTI)

Rahul Gandhi lost his parliamentary seat after a court found him of guilty of defamation over his remarks on Modi surname. Gandhi, who represented Wayanad constituency in Kerala, was disqualified from his membership in the lower house from March 23, the date of his conviction.

“That’s how scared they are of so-called ‘Pappu’ ! Blatant misuse of law to ensure that @RahulGandh's growing popularity, credibility & stature are curbed and clear strong-arm tactics for 2024 Lok Sabha that RG now cannot contest.. My guess is RG will come out of this taller,” Swara Bhasker said in a tweet.

The case against Rahul Gandhi dates back to an election rally in 2019 when he said: “Why do all thieves have Modi as their surname?” He went on to name fugitive Indian diamond tycoon Nirav Modi, banned Indian Premier League boss Lalit Modi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The defamation case was filed by a BJP leader Purnesh Modi, who alleged Gandhi’s comments had “defamed the entire Modi community.”

The Congress party termed the action an attempt to "silence" Gandhi's voice as it vowed to fight the battle legally and politically.

Gandhi's disqualification saw a shift in the dynamics of Opposition ranks with Trinamool Congress and Aam Aadmi Party also expressing strong support for the embattled leader, along with several other Opposition parties.

Referring to Gandhi's disqualification, Kejriwal targeted the central government and said "they are scared".

“The expulsion of Rahul Gandhi from the Lok Sabha is shocking. The country is passing through very difficult times. They have kept the whole country scared. 130 crore people will have to unite against their arrogant power,” he later said in a tweet.

West Bengal chief minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, without naming Gandhi, stood by him and said Opposition leaders are being disqualified for their speeches.

“In PM Modi's New India, Opposition leaders have become the prime target of BJP ! While BJP leaders with criminal antecedents are inducted into the cabinet, Opposition leaders are disqualified for their speeches," Banerjee tweeted. "Today, we have witnessed a new low for our constitutional democracy,” she said.