TMC’s Mahua Moitra's summon rescheduled by the Ethics Committee, MP to depose before the panel on November 2

Lok Sabha Ethics Committee has summoned Mahua Moitra to testify before it on November 2 in connection with the ‘cash-for-query’ allegations raised against the TMC MP. In response to the submission from Moitra stating that she would not be able to come before the panel until November 5, it stated that it would not consider any requests for an extension of the date of appearance.

In a notification, the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee stated, "The undersigned is directed to refer to your letter dated 27 October 2023, on the above-mentioned subject/reference and to state that Honourable Chairperson, Committee on Ethics has acceded to your request for extension of date for appearing before the Committee on Ethics, i.e, rescheduling the sitting of the Committee. It has, accordingly, been decided to hear you in the above matter, in person, on 2 November 2023 at 1100 hours in Committee Room 2, Parliament House Annexe Extension, New Delhi.” Given the ‘seriousness of the matter,’ the panel said that no further requests for an extension will be entertained. "The chairperson has also directed the undersigned to convey to you that keeping in view the seriousness of the matter, having implications on the dignity of Parliament as well as its Members, any further request for an extension of date for appearing before the Committee, which is, rescheduling the sitting of the Committee for any reason whatsoever would not be entertained," added the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee.

On October 31, the panel called her to give oral testimony in response to BJP MP Nishikant Dubey's allegations that Mahua Moitra allegedly accepted payment to pose questions in parliament on behalf of the businessman Darshan Hiranandani, with the intention of criticizing the government and the Adani Group. Dubey filed a formal complaint with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, claiming 'proof' provided by Supreme Court lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai. On Friday, the complainants gave their testimonies before the panel.

The Trinamool MP in response to the Ethics Committee notice stated that she was unable to depose before the panel on October 31 due to prior commitments. "I represent the state of West Bengal where Durga Puja is the biggest festival. I am already committed to attending numerous pre-scheduled Vijaya Dashami Sammelans/meetings (both government and political) in my constituency from 30th October to 4th November 2023 and cannot be in Delhi on 31st October 2023,” said Mahua Moitra.

On Friday, in an interview on India Today, Mahua Moitra disclosed that she had given Darshan Hiranandani her Parliamentary login credentials. She asserted that sharing her login information with others was not prohibited under any rule. Moitra explained that she had asked the businessman to ask his assistants to type out the questions on her behalf, which is why Darshan Hiranandani got her login credentials. Speaking on the alleged monetary transactions, the TMC said that the Hiranandani was a friend and that all he had given her was a scarf and a few beauty products that he had chosen from the duty-free store at the Dubai airport.

Hitting back at the Mahua Moitra over her interview, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey stated that the TMC MP has ‘mortgaged the country’s security for a few rupees.’ “Read this paper carefully and then see the lies in the interview given by @IndiaToday to @sardesairajdeep. An expert, an economist, an MP opposing the government, who has mortgaged the country's security for a few rupees. All the MPs have filled this form. In which it is clearly written that mail ID and password are playing with the security of the country. One Bihari is superior to all.” posted the BJP MP on the social media platform ‘X.’