BJP-Cong war of words over German reaction on Rahul's disqualification

A war of words has broken out between the BJP and Congress after Germany commented on the conviction and sentencing of Rahul Gandhi.

Germany said on Wednesday that the 'standards of judicial independence and fundamental democratic principles should apply in the case.

Senior Congress leader, Digvijaya Singh thanked the German foreign ministry for taking note of how democracy is being compromised in India through the persecution of Rahul Gandhi.

Reacting to his statement, Union Law Minister, Kiren Rijiju said that Rahul Gandhi was 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 Narendra Modi ji," he said on Twitter.

Hitting back at Rijiju, Congress media and publicity department head, Pawan Khera said that the government must first answer questions that Rahul Gandhi has asked on the Adani issue.

"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 in a tweet.

On Wednesday, Germany said that the 'standards of judicial independence and fundamental democratic principles' should apply in the case of opposition Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, following his disqualification as an MP in the defamation case.

"The government has taken note of the verdict of the first instance against Gandhi and the suspension of his parliamentary mandate" a spokesperson for the German foreign ministry had said.

Speaking in German during a media briefing the spokesperson had said, "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's public remarks aired on public broadcaster, Deutsche Welle also stated, " we expect that the standards of judicial independence and fundamental democratic principles will equally apply to the proceedings against Rahul Gandhi."