Expert: Rahul Gandhi must resign from one of two seats he won within two weeks

Rahul Gandhi Must Resign from One Seat within Two Weeks: Constitutional Expert

According to constitutional expert PDT Achari, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who won in both Wayanad and Rae Bareli in the recent Lok Sabha elections, will need to resign from one seat within 14 days of the election results. Failure to do so could result in losing both seats.

Despite the dissolution of the 17th Lok Sabha, Gandhi can still send his resignation to the current Speaker Om Birla. Achari clarified that if the posts of speaker and deputy speaker are vacant, the member can resign to the Election Commission.

The Election Commission has been advocating for amendments to prevent candidates from contesting from two seats. The Representation of the People Act, 1951, currently allows candidates to contest from two seats but retain only one.

With the Congress’ tally in the new Lok Sabha at 99, Gandhi’s resignation from one seat will be crucial. Amendments in electoral laws in 1996 imposed restrictions on the number of seats a person could contest.