INSTANT VIEW-India's Rahul Gandhi disqualified as lawmaker after conviction

India's parliament disqualified opposition Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi as a lawmaker on Friday, a day after he was found guilty of defamation by a lower court. It is one of the highest profile disqualifications of a sitting lawmaker in the country. Following are some reactions from lawmakers and politicians: MAMATA BANERJEE, CHIEF MINISTER, WEST BENGAL "In PM Modi's New India, opposition leaders have become the prime target of BJP!

India's parliament disqualified opposition Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi as a lawmaker on Friday, a day after he was found guilty of defamation by a lower court. It is one of the highest profile disqualifications of a sitting lawmaker in the country.

Following are some reactions from lawmakers and politicians: MAMATA BANERJEE, CHIEF MINISTER, WEST BENGAL

"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. Today, we have witnessed a new low for our constitutional democracy." PRIYANKA CHATURVEDI, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT, SHIV SENA-UBT

"Vindictive and shameful action against Rahul Gandhi. This disqualification yet again proves that we are living in the times of caged democracy." SHASHI THAROOR, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT, CONGRESS

"I'm stunned by this action and by its rapidity, within 24 hours of the court verdict and while an appeal was known to be in process. This is politics with the gloves off and it bodes ill for our democracy." JAIRAM RAMESH, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT, CONGRESS

"We will fight this battle both legally and politically. We will not be intimidated or silenced." KIREN RIJIJU, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT AND MINISTER, BHARATIYA JANATA PARTY

"Rahul Gandhi made very derogatory remark and disgraced an entire OBC (other backward class) Community. Shockingly, some Congress leaders are trying to defend it." 

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)