The stage at a torch rally organized by Congress, to protest against Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification from Lok Sabha, broke down in Chattisgarh’s Bilaspur on Sunday, April 2, reported news agency ANI. No injuries were reported after the incident.
However, everyone present on the stage, including Congress state president Mohan Markam fell down.
#WATCH | Chhattisgarh: Stage breaks down during torch rally organized by Congress to protest against termination of Rahul Gandhi’s membership of Lok Sabha in Bilaspur. (02.04.23) pic.twitter.com/PjnXREl5JN
— ANI (@ANI) April 3, 2023
Gandhi’s conviction in a 2019 defamation case and subsequent disqualification as an MP have spurred a political firestorm between the ruling BJP and the Opposition parties, with Congress holding demonstrations against the BJP’s ‘dictatorship’ across the country.
On March 23, while convicting Gandhi, a Surat court had suspended the sentence for 30 days to allow him to appeal and approved bail on a surety of Rs 15,000. A day later, Gandhi was disqualified as a member of the Lok Sabha.