Parliament Winter Session: Focus On Cash-For-Query Report On Mahua Moitra

As the Winter Session of Parliament unfolds on December 4, the first and foremost topic of discussion is poised to be the contentious cash-for-query row involving Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra. The Ethics Committee of Lok Sabha has diligently probed the allegations, and the anticipation lingers as it is expected to recommend her expulsion from the lower house of parliament. The Lok Sabha Ethics Committee's report recommending the expulsion of Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra will be sent to the Lok Sabha Speaker, who is expected to receive the probe report today. The report was approved by the committee by a vote of six to four.

"Even if they expel me, I will be back in the next Lok Sabha with a bigger mandate," the MP, who is currently in her constituency in Bengal was quoted as saying to news agency Press Trust of India after the report. "This is a pre-fixed match by a kangaroo court, which is of no surprise or consequence. But the larger message for the country is that for India, it is the death of parliamentary democracy," Moitra said.

Cash-for-Query Allegations and the Ethics Committee's Decision

As the Winter Session unfolds, one of the key legislative items on the docket is a bill aimed at regulating appointments for the Chief Election Commission and other election commissioners. The government's proactive measure of convening an all-party meeting underscores its commitment to ensuring the smooth functioning of the session, slated to have 15 sittings between December 4 and December 22.

The Ethics Committee of the Lok Sabha had been investigating the "cash-for-query"  allegations against Mahua Moitra. On November 9, panel chairman Vinod Kumar Sonkar disclosed that six members of the panel supported the report, which calls into question the conduct of the TMC MP. The seriousness of these allegations cannot be understated, given that they pertain to the integrity of parliamentary proceedings.

Sonkar confirmed the division within the committee, stating, "Today's meeting had a single agenda: to adopt the report. The report has been adopted, but four members have submitted their dissent notes."

Allegations of Unethical Conduct and Contempt of the House

According to the report, Moitra has been indicted for "unethical conduct" and "contempt of the House." The specific charge revolves around her alleged sharing of her Lok Sabha log-in credentials with unauthorised personnel, a serious breach of parliamentary protocol. The Ethics Committee has characterised this act as a "serious misdemeanour" and has recommended "severe punishment."

Furthermore, the report suggests that due to the highly objectionable, unethical, heinous, and criminal nature of the conduct in question, there should be an "intense, legal, institutional inquiry by the Government of India (GOI)" conducted in a time-bound manner. 

Next Steps and the Role of the Central Government

The Ethics Committee will forward a comprehensive report to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, who will play a pivotal role in deciding the course of action. Notably, the panel has left it to the central government to investigate and establish the money trail.

Reports indicate that Congress MP Praneet Kaur is one of the six MPs who supported the draft report. Meanwhile, BSP MP Danish Ali accused Ethics Committee chairman Vinod Kumar Sonkar and BJP members of leaking the proceedings of the panel in violation of rules, further complicating the situation.

Allegations of Inappropriate Questions and a Stormy Exit

Adding to the intrigue, Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra alleged that during her deposition in connection with the cash-for-query case, the chairperson of the Ethics Committee posed personal and inappropriate questions.

Moitra claimed in a conversation with The Hindu, "The chairperson insisted on asking the most cheap and sordid questions about my personal life, including ‘Who do you talk to at night,’ ‘How many times,’ ‘Can you give me the call details'?" These revelations have further fueled the controversy.

Also BJP - before you push out women MPs with fake narrative remember I have EXACT transcript of record in Ethics Committee verbatim. Chairman’s cheap sordid irrelevant questions, Opposition’s protests, my protests - all there in offical black & white.

Besharam & Behuda.

— Mahua Moitra (@MahuaMoitra) November 5, 2023

Moitra also accused the chairman of asking intrusive questions about her personal relationships, which she found deeply objectionable. She noted that there were no specific rules prohibiting MPs from sharing login credentials, and parliamentary assistants regularly log in to the system on behalf of legislators, as reported by The Hindu.

Unruly Conduct and the Need for New Conduct Rules

This incident has not only triggered a significant political debate but has also prompted the Ethics Committee to advocate for new conduct rules for Members of Parliament. They contend that the current rules have proven inadequate for curbing such recalcitrant behaviour. In their draft report, the committee explicitly recommends that the Lok Sabha Speaker consider the formulation of a new set of rules that can serve as a firewall against unruly conduct by MPs.

However, officials caution that drafting such rules is not a straightforward task and will require time, especially considering that the 17th Lok Sabha is nearing its conclusion in June next year. Therefore, addressing this issue may fall within the purview of the new Lok Sabha authorities following the national polls.

As the Winter Session kicks off, the unfolding drama around Mahua Moitra's potential expulsion adds an extra layer of intensity to the parliamentary proceedings. 

Suggested reading: Mahua Moitra's Ethics Committee Walkout: Five Key Points To Know