Ethics Committee report on Mahua Moitra’s ‘cash-for-query’ allegations tabled, Lok Sabha adjourned till 2 pm amidst chaos

The Ethics Committee’s report on the alleged ‘cash-for-query’ scam was tabled in the Lok Sabha on Friday. The panel's chief, BJP MP Vijay Sonkar, presented the report that recommends the expulsion of TMC MP Mahua Moitra in connection to the charges leveled against her by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey. However, protests erupted after the report was tabled, with opposition MPs shouting slogans against the government. Owing to the prevalent tumultuous environment of the house, the Lok Sabha was adjourned till 2 pm.

In the aftermath of the protests, on her way out of the Parliament, Mahua Moitra said, "We haven't received it yet. Let me have my lunch and come back. Whatever has to happen, will happen after 2 pm."

The panel has recommended the expulsion of Moitra from the Lok Sabha, over the alleged ‘cash-for-query’ charges flagged against her by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey. Dubey has accused the TMC MP of accepting bribes from Dubai-based businessman Darshan Hiranandani in exchange for raising critical questions, addressed to PM Modi in the House of Parliament. The Ethics Committee has recommended her expulsion over the fact that she shared her Parliamentary login credentials with Hiranandani for posting questions on her behalf. Moitra has admitted to sharing her login credentials with the businessman, but she claims that the questions asked were her own and has denied accepting any bribes or violating any parliamentary rules.

The Opposition has been demanding a comprehensive discussion on the report before it is put up for voting. "If the report is tabled, we will insist on a full-fledged discussion... the draft was adopted in two-and-a-half minutes", said BSP MP Danish Ali, one of the members of the Ethics Committee.

Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury came out in support of Moitra and said, "The issue is going on for a long time...It is putting the wrong message across the nation. Why does this government do revenge politics? PM Modi talks well but I don't understand why's there so much difference in his speech and actions...What was such a huge mistake that suspension from the house was needed? Can they not ask her in the House in front of everyone...It appears to be a dictatorship."

"If they indulge in this misadventure, all I can say is that they are going to add 50,000 extra votes to Mahua in re-election in 2024...I don't think it has been a fair and equitable procedure...We want her to continue in the Parliament. This is a normal style of the BJP to silence voices against it, this is yet another attempt. Of course, we are opposing it,"said Congress MP Karti Chidambaram stating that expelling Moitra would be a ‘misadventure’ for the government.

The ruling BJP on the other hand has asserted that Mahua Moitra has compromised national security by providing her login credentials to Hiranandani. "There should be no politics over this...Action should be taken against someone who puts questions over national security. Otherwise, Members of Parliament who represent 140 crore people of the country will be questionable. We want the decision to be taken at the earliest and action to be taken,"said BJP MP Locket Chatterjee.