International Desk : India's main opposition leader Rahul Gandhi were disqualified as a member of parliament, a day after being convicted in a defamation case and sentenced to two years in prison, reports Al Jazeera.

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"Rahul Gandhi has been disqualified from the member of Lok Sabha from the date of his conviction," a notice issued by the parliament said on Friday, referring to the lower house.

Rahul Gandhi, 52, was found guilty for a speech ahead of the 2019 general election in which he referred to thieves as having the surname Modi.

Read more : Rahul Gandhi jailed for 2 yrs

Gandhi will appeal in a higher court, the party said.

Congress officials described the court order as politically motivated and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of targeting political opponents.

Congress spokesman Pawan Khera said "this battle will be fought both legally and politically."

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"Rahul Gandhi will not stop from asking difficult questions and exposing crony capitalism and this government's active role in promoting and protecting it," he said.

Earlier on Friday, Congress members held protests in some parts of the country against Gandhi’s conviction and two-year-old jail sentence.

Sun News/MR

India leader Gandhi parliament defamation prison

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