Germany takes note of Rahul's disqualification from LS; BJP, Cong trade barbs
New Delhi (PTI): As Germany took note of Rahul Gandhi's disqualification from Lok Sabha, the BJP on Thursday accused the Congress of "inviting foreign powers" for interference in India's internal matters and the Opposition party hit back, alleging that its rival was attempting to divert attention from the Adani issue.
In a tweet Thursday, senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh thanked German foreign ministry and Richard Walker, Chief International Editor of Deutsche Welle, for "taking note of how the Democracy is being compromised in India through persecution of Rahul Gandhi".
He tagged a tweet by Walker in which the senior journalist had posted a video of a German foreign ministry spokesperson reacting to Gandhi's disqualification.
At a press briefing, Germany's foreign ministry spokesperson said, "We have taken note of the verdict of first instance against Indian opposition politician Rahul Gandhi as well as the suspension of his parliamentary mandate."
"To our knowledge, Mr Gandhi is in a position to appeal the verdict. It will then become clear whether this verdict will stand and whether the suspension of his mandate has any basis," the spokesperson was quoted as saying.
Germany expects that "standards of judicial independence and fundamental democratic principles" will equally apply to the proceedings against Rahul Gandhi, the spokesperson added.
A host of BJP leaders attacked the Congress and Singh, accusing the party of inviting foreign interference in internal affairs.
Sharing a screenshot of Digivijaya Singh's tweet, Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju said, "Thank you Rahul Gandhi for inviting foreign powers for interference into India's internal matters."
"Remember, Indian Judiciary can't be influenced by foreign interference. India won't tolerate 'foreign influence' anymore because our Prime Minister is:- Shri @narendramodi Ji," Rijiju said.
Hitting back at Rijiju, Congress' media department head Pawan Khera said, "Mr. Rijiju, why divert from the main issue? The issue is that the Prime Minister cannot answer Rahul Gandhi's questions about Adani."
Instead of "misleading" people, please answer the questions, Khera said.
BJP's IT department head Amit Malviya also tagged Singh's tweet and said, "Shameful that Congress continues to lean on foreign agencies and seek their intervention in India's internal affairs."
"Rahul Gandhi had recently sought Europe and US intervention and now it is Digvijay Singh. But Law is the Law Unless somebody thinks Law is not the Law for them," he said.
BJP spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill also hit out at the Congress, alleging that the party "celebrating Germany/U.S. remarks on Rahul Gandhi's case shows their political desperation".
"Rejected by Indian voters now looking for acceptance by foreign powers is sad reality of Congress! Judiciary must take note of daily maligning of courts by Congress brigade!" he said.
Tagging Singh's tweet, BJP leader Vijay Chauthaiwale said on Twitter, "Look how happy @digvijaya_28 ji with comments from Germany. It only shows how they are desperate to involve external agencies in the domestic matters."
Gandhi was disqualified from Lok Sabha on March 23 after a court in Gujarat's Surat convicted him in a 2019 defamation case.
Earlier this week, a US state department official had said the United States is watching the court case of Rahul Gandhi. The official had observed that the US continues to engage with India on the shared commitment towards democratic principles and the protection of human rights, including freedom of expression.
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Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy questioned by Karnataka Lokayukta police in land denotification case
Bengaluru, Sep 27: JD(S) leader and Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Friday appeared before the Lokayukta police for questioning in connection with a land denotification case.
"He was questioned in the Gangenahalli denotification case," a Lokayukta official said.
The ruling Congress in Karnataka last week asked the Lokayukta to expedite its probe against former Chief Ministers B S Yediyurappa and Kumaraswamy, also a former CM in connection with the alleged denotification of land here.
Ministers Krishna Byre Gowda, Dinesh Gundu Rao and Santhosh Lad held a joint press conference on September 19 and released documents regarding the denotification of 1.11 acres of land at Gangenahalli in Kasaba hobli of Bengaluru North.
ALSO READ: Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy criticizes Cabinet decision opposing CBI probe in Karnataka
Kumaraswamy said he has nothing to do with the case and he has never done anything that is illegal while in power and during his tenure as CM.
"In connection with the Gangenahalli case, four Ministers had held a press conference against me. I had said that day too, I have nothing to do with it (case). Still they have spoken lightly for the sake of publicity," he told reporters after appearing before the Lokayukta.
"... there were reports in the media that Kumaraswamy faces danger from Lokayukta. I have done nothing that is illegal and that will cause me danger, while I was in power. This government cannot do anything to me."
Noting that as an opposition MLA he had raised several issues that had caused embarrassment to the then Congress government led by Siddaramaiah in 2015, Kumaraswamy said, this case was put against him then.
"Today it is 2024, already several times the statements have been taken for inquiry, once again today I was called, recently I heard from the media that Yediyurappa was also called. I have appeared and answered all their questions, let them conduct further inquiry, and this government is free to take any action in accordance with law," he said.
Kumaraswamy said he has not come before Lokayukta after having committed wrong or illegal.
"I have come voluntarily today and have answered all questions by officers...there is no need for me to come once again, I have responded to whatever they have asked for."
Alleging that a 'benami' named Rajashekharaiah, "who has nothing to do with the said land (that was notified)", gave a petition when Kumaraswamy was the Chief Minister in 2007, seeking denotification of the land, which was acquired 30 years ago, Krishna Byre Gowda had last week alleged that Kumaraswamy had then asked officials to move the file in this regard.
He had said that the original owner of the said land had 21 heirs, who gave a general power of attorney to Kumaraswamy's mother-in-law.
Further pointing out that when Yediyurappa was the CM in 2010, and despite the then principal secretary to the urban development department K Jothiramalingam noting on the file that it was not a fit case for denotification, the former ordered denotification, Gowda had claimed.
"Subsequently after the denotification of the land in June, 2010, it was registered in the name of Kumaraswamy's brother-in-law Channappa in July that year," he had said.
The land costing several crores of rupees belonged to Bangalore Development Authority and should have been used for the poor, the Minister had said, asking: "is it not a systematic fraud."
