Rahul Gandhi disqualified as Lok Sabha MP: Here's list of prominent leaders barred under RP Act

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has been disqualified from the Lok Sabha because of his conviction in a 2019 criminal defamation case. The Wayanad MP was convicted over his "why all thieves have Modi surname" remark.

"Shri Rahul Gandhi, Member of Lok Sabha representing the Wayanad Parliamentary Constituency of Kerala stands disqualified from the membership of Lok Sabha from the date of his conviction i.e. 23 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," the Lok Sabha secretariat said in a notification issued today.

As per the Representation of the People Act, a person sentenced to imprisonment of two years or more shall be disqualified "from the date of such conviction" and remain disqualified for another six years after serving time.

Rahul Gandhi is not the only politician to be disqualification as MP. Here are the names of other prominent leaders barred under RP Act.

Jagir Kaur: Former state cabinet minister, Jagir Kaur lost her cabinet berth following her conviction for forcible abortion and abduction of her daughter.

Lalu Prasad Yadav: In October 2013, Lalu Yadav was disqualified from the Lok Sabha and barred from contesting elections for 11 years which included his 5-year imprisonment and 6-year bar subsequent to his release under the act.

Indira Gandhi: The Allahabad high court invalidated found Indira Gandhi, who was the then Prime Minister, guilty on the charge of misuse of government machinery for her election campaign. The court declared her election null and void and unseated her from her seat in the Lok Sabha representing Rae Bareilly constituency. The court also banned her from contesting any election for an additional six years.

Umlesh Yadav: Umlesh Yadav is the first politician to be disqualified by the Election Commission of India for a period of three years for suppression of her election expenses incurred when she was elected as an MLA to the Bisauli constituency in the 2007 Uttar Pradesh state assembly elections.

Two Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly members, Bajrang Bahadur Singh and Uma Shankar Singh, were disqualified in January 2015 due to holding government contracts.

Jayalalithaa: AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa is disqualified from contesting elections after she was convicted in a disproportionate assets case by a special court in Bangalore.

Narottam Mishra: Narottam Mishra was barred from membership of any State legislature and contesting polls for three years for filing wrong accounts of election expenditure.

Mishra's membership has been revoked under section 10A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, to be read with Sections 77 and 78 of the Act.

Azam Khan: Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan was disqualified as a member of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly under provisions of the Representation of the People Act.

Lakshadweep MP Mohammed Faizal was disqualified after he was convicted in an attempt to murder case by a court in the union territory.

Faizal has ceased to be a people's representative with effect from January 11, 2023.

Several other politicians have been disqualified so far include Congress Rasheed Masood, Janata Dal (United) leader Jagdish Sharma, BJP leaders Asha Rani, Suresh Halvankar, among others.