NEW DELHI: Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi has never been a minister in a federal or state government, has not led his Congress party to a general election victory, and quit as party chief after it was demolished in the last parliamentary polls in 2019.
Yet he remains at the centre of India's opposition politics and the main target of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu- nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Now, his conviction and two-year jail sentence in a defamation case, and consequent dismissal from parliament on Friday, could galvanize his party and its allies to step up their opposition to the BJP government a year before the next general election is due.
The conviction on Thursday came barely two months after Gandhi, 52, concluded a 4,000-km cross-country march from India's southern tip to Kashmir in the Himalayas in a bid to revive his party and refurbish his image in what he called a Bharat Jodo Yatra, or unify India march.
Gandhi's jail sentence has been suspended for 30 days allowing him to appeal to a higher court but he will also not be able to contest the next general election unless he gets his conviction suspended or overturned.
At the heart of his central role in opposition politics is the fact that his party has ruled India for 54 of its 75 years since independence from Britain, and his father, grandmother and great-grandfather were prime ministers for more than 37 of those 54 years.
Congress was the largest national political party with a footprint across the country of 1.4 billion people until it was overtaken by the BJP in 2014.
Although now a shadow of its former self, the Gandhi family - which includes Rahul's Italian-born mother and former party chief Sonia, and his sister Priyanka - still dominates Congress and commands fierce loyalty.
It is this potent lineage and legacy that Modi and his party seek to attack when they say dynastic politics has no role in a democracy, analysts say.
Even though Congress withered in 2019, winning less than 10% of the 545 seats in the lower house, it commanded nearly 20% of the vote - the largest for any opposition group - against the BJP's 38%.
Congress is the ruling party, or the main opposition in about half a dozen important states.
NON-SERIOUS POLITICIAN?
Gandhi entered politics and was first elected to parliament in 2004 from his family borough of Amethi in the northern heartland state of Uttar Pradesh.
He repeated that victory in 2009 and 2014 but suffered a shock setback in 2019 when he lost the seat. However, he had also contested a seat in the Kerala state and won there to return to parliament.
Gandhi's attendance in parliament has been far below the average. His frequent absences from the chamber, and the country, have been the focus of the media and drawn BJP accusations that he is a "non-serious" politician.
Outside parliament, he has often reminded his supporters of his family's commitment and sacrifices, talking about the assassinations of his grandmother, then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, and his former prime minister father, Rajiv Gandhi.
Of late, he has been stirring controversy with criticism of the BJP.
In Britain last month he said in a speech that democracy was in danger under Modi, angering the BJP whose members demanded an apology or said he should face exclusion from the chamber.
On Thursday, after his conviction, he simply posted on Twitter some words in Hindi from freedom movement leader, Mahatma Gandhi, who is not a relation.
"My religion is based on truth and non-violence. Truth is my God, non-violence the means to get it. - Mahatma Gandhi".
Single at 52, Gandhi is known to be a fitness and martial arts enthusiast and has been seen cycling in New Delhi accompanied by security men.
His conviction and disqualification from parliament is now "make or break" for him, said Neelanjan Sircar, a senior visiting fellow at New Delhi's Centre for Policy Research.
"Will he be able to make the argument that 'I am being targeted by a government that does not necessarily represent the interest of all Indians', or is he going to be seen as somebody who is not a capable politician and therefore has been outplayed by the BJP," Sircar told Reuters.
Reuters
Fri Mar 24 2023
![Rahul Gandhi, the 'prince' of Indian politics who lost his parliament seat Rahul Gandhi, the 'prince' of Indian politics who lost his parliament seat](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-03/81679661203_INDIA.jpg)
Rahul Gandhi, a senior leader of India's main opposition Congress party, waves towards his party supporters as he arrives at the New Delhi airport, after he appeared before a court in Surat, Gujarat, India, March 23, 2023. - REUTERS
![Malaysia kekal destinasi utama bagi pelaburan PTTEP - BMI Malaysia kekal destinasi utama bagi pelaburan PTTEP - BMI](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-02/81613025046_TBPelantarMinyak.jpg)
Malaysia kekal destinasi utama bagi pelaburan PTTEP - BMI
Malaysia akan kekal sebagai destinasi utama bagi pelaburan syarikat minyak nasional Thailand, PTT Exploration and Production (PTTEP), dalam jangka masa pendek dan panjang.
Jualan penyaman udara naik mendadak di negara Balkan
Menetap di negara sejuk, mereka tidak pernah terfikir memasang penyaman udara di dalam rumah memandangkan musim panas bukanlah setiap hari. Namun, cuaca panas melampau membuatkan mereka bertukar fikiran.
![Malaysia kecam sekeras-kerasnya pencerobohan ekstremis Zionis Israel ke atas Masjid Al-Aqsa Malaysia kecam sekeras-kerasnya pencerobohan ekstremis Zionis Israel ke atas Masjid Al-Aqsa](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-01/61706688348_wismaputra.jpg)
Malaysia kecam sekeras-kerasnya pencerobohan ekstremis Zionis Israel ke atas Masjid Al-Aqsa
Kerajaan Malaysia mengecam sekeras-kerasnya pencerobohan Masjid Al-Aqsa oleh ekstremis Zionis Israel pada 13 Ogos.
![Reda dengan pemergian anak walaupun bukan pengakhiran diharapkan - Ayah Nidza Afham Reda dengan pemergian anak walaupun bukan pengakhiran diharapkan - Ayah Nidza Afham](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/61723653359_TBMOKHTAR.jpg)
Reda dengan pemergian anak walaupun bukan pengakhiran diharapkan - Ayah Nidza Afham
Ayah kepada penyanyi dan Youtubers Muhammad Nidza Afham Mokhtar reda dengan pemergian anak lelakinya walaupun itu bukan pengakhiran yang beliau harapkan.
Ahli perniagaan diberkas, terlibat dalam aktiviti kumpulan mafia
Seorang ahli perniagaan Itali ditangkap di bandar Natal, Brazil pada selasa.
Giuseppe Bruno kini menghadapi tuduhan termasuk melakukan pemerasan dan pengubahan wang haram dan juga penglibatan bersama kumpulan mafia.
Giuseppe Bruno kini menghadapi tuduhan termasuk melakukan pemerasan dan pengubahan wang haram dan juga penglibatan bersama kumpulan mafia.
Srettha hormati keputusan mahkamah
Srettha Thavisin menghormati keputusan Mahkamah Perlembagaan Thailand yang memecatnya daripada jawatan Perdana Menteri.
Lahir empat hari lepas, bayi kembar maut angkara serangan rejim Zionis
Kembar lelaki diberikan nama Asser manakala Ayssel pula nama diberi buat kembar perempuan, kedua-duanya lahir pada 10 Ogos lepas.
Lelaki tikam ibu saudara direman tujuh hari
Seorang lelaki yang disyaki menikam ibu saudaranya di kepala dengan gunting, semalam direman selama tujuh hari hingga 21 Ogos ini.
PN senarai pendek tiga calon, akan diumum selepas PRK Nenggiri
Perikatan Nasional telah menyenarai pendek tiga calon untuk bertanding pada Pilihan Raya Kecil (PRK) Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Mahkota yang dijadualkan berlangsung pada 28 September depan.
![10 cedera dalam kejadian reaktor kilang terbakar di Bintulu 10 cedera dalam kejadian reaktor kilang terbakar di Bintulu](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41722145972_KebakaranGeneric.jpg)
10 cedera dalam kejadian reaktor kilang terbakar di Bintulu
Menurut PGOB kesemua mangsa yang cedera telah dikejarkan ke Hospital Bintulu untuk rawatan lanjut.
![Rahul Gandhi ketua pembangkang parlimen India Rahul Gandhi ketua pembangkang parlimen India](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/51714751562_TBRAHULGANDHI.jpg)
Rahul Gandhi ketua pembangkang parlimen India
Ahli politik terkemuka, Rahul Gandhi akan menjadi ketua pembangkang parlimen India.
![Pegawai kanan Parti Kongres India letak jawatan selepas keluar kenyataan rasis Pegawai kanan Parti Kongres India letak jawatan selepas keluar kenyataan rasis](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-05/61683990723_partikongresindia.jpg)
Pegawai kanan Parti Kongres India letak jawatan selepas keluar kenyataan rasis
Seorang pegawai kanan Parti Kongres India meletak jawatan selepas beliau membuat kenyataan didakwa rasis.
![Kerajaan Modi berjaya ketepikan usul undi tidak percaya Kerajaan Modi berjaya ketepikan usul undi tidak percaya](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-07/51689907250_NarendraModi.jpg)
Kerajaan Modi berjaya ketepikan usul undi tidak percaya
Usul undi tidak percaya ini dikecam keras Modi dan beliau mendakwa kumpulan pemimpin ini tidak percaya kepada demokrasi.
![India: Rahul Gandhi tamatkan perarakan perpaduan nasional dengan mesej menentang keganasan India: Rahul Gandhi tamatkan perarakan perpaduan nasional dengan mesej menentang keganasan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-01/41675113864_IndiasoppositionC.jpg)
India: Rahul Gandhi tamatkan perarakan perpaduan nasional dengan mesej menentang keganasan
Rahul dan ketua parti Kongres memulakan 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' pada 7 Sept di Kanyakumari, selatan India, merentasi 12 negeri, sejauh 3,500km.
![Ekonomi India terjejas akibat undang-undang kewarganegaraan baru Ekonomi India terjejas akibat undang-undang kewarganegaraan baru](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2019-12/51576361567_Congresspartyworke.jpg)
Ekonomi India terjejas akibat undang-undang kewarganegaraan baru
Ia berikutan kontroversi Rang Undang-Undang (RUU) Pindaan Kewarganegaraan (CAB) yang bertujuan memberi kewarganegaraan kepada pelarian bukan Islam dari tiga negara islam yang berjiran dengan India.
![Rahul Gandhi letak jawatan Presiden Parti Kongres Rahul Gandhi letak jawatan Presiden Parti Kongres](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2019-03/71552022439_INDIA.jpg)
Rahul Gandhi letak jawatan Presiden Parti Kongres
Rahul Gandhi semalam meletak jawatan sebagai pemimpin parti pembangkang utama India, Parti Kongres ekoran kekalahan memalukan kali kedua dalam pilihan raya.
![Ceritalah India: Kalau bukan Modi, siapa? Ceritalah India: Kalau bukan Modi, siapa?](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2019-04/41556506563_CERITALAHINDIA.jpg)
Ceritalah India: Kalau bukan Modi, siapa?
Veena pasti bahawa jika Perdana Menteri yang bertahan dipilih semula, anaknya akan mendapat pekerjaan: "Modi akan menyelesaikan masalah kami. Jika tidak Modi, siapa?"
![900 juta rakyat India keluar mengundi hari ini 900 juta rakyat India keluar mengundi hari ini](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2019-04/41554950977_INDIAELECTION.jpg)
900 juta rakyat India keluar mengundi hari ini
900 juta pengundi berdaftar layak menunaikan tanggungjawab masing-masing dalam pilihan raya terbesar di dunia bermula hari ini di India.
![Parti pembangkang utama India INC keluar senarai pertama calon PRU Parti pembangkang utama India INC keluar senarai pertama calon PRU](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2019-03/71552022439_INDIA.jpg)
Parti pembangkang utama India INC keluar senarai pertama calon PRU
Sebanyak 15 nama telah diumumkan dalam senarai calon pertama INC termasuk Presiden Parti Rahul Gandhi serta ibunya, Sonia Gandhi.