New Delhi/IBNS: After being granted bail by a Gujarat sessions court in a criminal defamation case over 'Modi surname', Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday said "truth is my weapon".

In his latest tweet, Rahul said: "This is a fight to save democracy, against 'Mitrakal'. In this struggle, truth is my weapon, and truth is my support!"

The 'Mitrakal' dig is one he has been making regularly at the Centre, accusing it of working to benefit its "crony capitalist friends". The last occasion was the budget, which he had dubbed "Mitr Kaal budget".

Rahul has been granted bail in the case and the court has paused his two-year jail sentence until a decision is taken on his appeal challenging his conviction.

The court will take up his appeal on April 13.

After his conviction, the Congress leader was disqualified by Parliament's lower house Lok Sabha. He was an MP from Kerala's Wayanad constituency.

During the 2019 Lok Sabha poll campaign, Rahul had said, "How come all the thieves have Modi as the common surname."

A complaint, which was lodged by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Purnesh Modi, claimed Rahul had defamed the entire Modi community.