New Delhi/UNI: The Lok Sabha Secretariat on Monday restored the membership of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in the Lower House after the Supreme Court stayed his conviction in the ‘Modi’ surname defamation case.

The Lok Sabha secretariat issued a notification announcing that his disqualification had been revoked and his membership restored.

On Friday (August 4), the apex court stayed Rahul Gandhi's conviction over the defamation case.

Lok Sabha MP from Wayanad in Kerala, Gandhi was disqualified as Lok Sabha MP on March 24, after the metropolitan court in Surat in Gujarat sentenced him to two years in jail in the case a day earlier.

Reacting to the development, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the move brings relief to the people of India, especially Wayanad.

"Whatever time is left of their tenure, the BJP and Modi government should utilise that by concentrating on actual governance rather than denigrating Democracy by targeting opposition leaders," he tweeted.

Congress deputy leader in Rajya Sabha Pramod Tiwari said, "Truth has triumphed, and lies have been defeated. India has won, our lion Rahul Gandhi has won, Modi Ji, your defeat has begun."

In a tweet, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said, "With enormous relief, welcome the official announcement of @RahulGandhi's reinstatement. He can now resume his duties in the Lok Sabha to serve the people of India and his constituents in Wayanad. A victory for justice and for our democracy!"