Indian politics has always been a realm of high-stakes and strategic confrontations. The Winter Session of Parliament is set to commence on Monday, bringing with it a crucial discussion on the cash-for-query row involving Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra. The Ethics Committee of Lok Sabha, after a thorough investigation, has reportedly recommended her expulsion from the lower house of parliament. The probe report by the Lok Sabha Ethics Panel is scheduled to be submitted to the Lok Sabha Speaker today, marking a potentially significant development in the unfolding political drama.
The altercation between BJP MP Nishikant Dubey and Trinamool MP Mahua Moitra during the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee meeting has snowballed into a major controversy. The recent Lok Sabha Ethics Committee meeting, where this issue was discussed, was marked by a dramatic exit by Mahua Moitra, who denounced the questions directed at her as "filthy" and "nonsensical".
The controversy surrounding the 'cash-for-query' case emerged when BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, prompted by a letter, accused TMC MP Mahua Moitra of accepting bribes from businessman Darshan Hiranandani in exchange for raising questions in Parliament. The allegations, rooted in a complaint made by advocate Jai Dehadrai, Moitra's former partner, led to both Hiranandani and Dehadrai deposing before the ethics panel of the Lok Sabha.
Moitra's Walkout
The confrontation reached its peak during the post-lunch session when Mahua Moitra was being cross-examined. The panel's chairman, Vinod Sonkar, seemed frustrated by what he perceived as a lack of cooperation from her and issued further questions. In a dramatic show of defiance, she chose to walk out, refusing to entertain any more questions. She conveyed her displeasure to reporters before dramatically storming out, questioning the nature of the meeting.
Sonkar, on the other hand, suggested that opposition members had made their allegations in a fit of anger and left to evade further questioning. He also decried the use of objectionable language against the panel and himself.
The opposition MPs who were present at the meeting came to Mahua Moitra's defence. They highlighted that the ID she shared was solely used for posting questions and posed no threat to national security, as alleged by the BJP. Moreover, they expressed their dissatisfaction with the proceedings, asserting that they were not given an opportunity to ask questions themselves.
The Bold Challenge
Dubey didn't mince words when he declared that he would retire from politics if it could be proven that the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee asked Mahua Moitra personal questions unrelated to the probe.
"In his affidavit, Darshan Hiranandani claimed to have paid for the air travel and hotel and cars of the corrupt MP in India and abroad. The chairman of the Ethics Committee asked for the tickets and the hotel bills. If anything except this was asked to Mahua Moitra regarding her male friend, then I will retire from politics. For information, just like in Parliament, the proceedings of the committee debate are recorded verbatim. Congress, JD(U) MPs should show the copy if they have the guts," Nishikant Dubey said. "Don't stoop so low, Danish, in the issue of a woman's victim card," Dubey wrote slamming BSP MP Danish Ali who was one of the protestors.
The 'Filthy Questions'
During the Ethics Committee meeting, Mahua Moitra and other opposition MPs who were present claimed that she was subjected to intrusive and, in her words, "filthy questions." These inquiries delved into her personal life, including her relationship with businessman Darshan Hiranandani, whom she acknowledged giving access to her parliamentary account. The questions included:
- 'How many times did you contact Mr Hiranandani in 2023?'
- 'How many times did you visit Dubai?'
- 'Which hotel did you stay in (in Dubai)?'
Mahua Moitra vehemently denied the allegations, defended her actions, and asserted that the committee chairperson repeatedly crossed boundaries. She stated that she had visited Dubai for a family function and had travelled to the city on at least three occasions. However, BJP MP Vinod Kumar Sonkar, the panel chief, was reportedly unsatisfied with her responses, leading to further tensions.
Winter Session Agenda
The Winter Session, slated to have 15 sittings between December 4 and December 22, will witness the tabling of crucial bills. One such bill aims to regulate the appointments of the Chief Election Commission and other election commissioners. The government's efforts to ensure the smooth functioning of the session were evident in the all-party meeting held on Saturday.
Opposition Dynamics
Congress, asserting its commitment to parliamentary principles, plans to utilize the first day of the Winter Session to raise issues pertinent to the public and demand a discussion on the Ethics Committee's report on Mahua Moitra. Pramod Tewari of the Congress emphasized the importance of parliamentary discourse over committee decisions, advocating for a comprehensive discussion.
Trinamool Congress leaders, sensing a premature leak of the Ethics Committee report to the media, expressed concerns about the potential expulsion of Mahua Moitra.
Suggested reading: Mahua Moitra-Darshan Hiranandani Controversy: Key Concerns Raised
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