In a notable turn of events in the Indian Parliament, Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra has been expelled from the Lok Sabha following allegations of unethical conduct in a cash-for-query scandal. This decision, which could lead to Moitra losing her MP status, came after the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee recommended her expulsion for allegedly sharing her credentials with others and accepting gifts from a businessman in exchange for favors.
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The Ethics Committee’s report, which was tabled in the House, sparked a heated debate. Subsequently, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi moved a motion for Moitra’s expulsion for “unethical conduct,” which was adopted by a voice vote. The motion’s adoption was met with a walkout by opposition members, and the House was adjourned for the day.
Reacting to her expulsion, Moitra criticized the process, referring to it as a “kangaroo court” and expressed her dismay at not being allowed to speak in Parliament. She pointed out that the ethics panel had not summoned the businessman who had raised the allegations against her. Moitra has been a vocal critic of the Adani group and believes she is being targeted for her questions about their dealings.
The complaint against Moitra was initially brought by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey to the Lokpal, based on a letter from Supreme Court lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai, Moitra’s estranged partner. The letter alleged an exchange between Moitra and businessman Darshan Hiranandani. Hiranandani, in his affidavit, claimed that Moitra targeted Gautam Adani to “malign and embarrass” Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Moitra has consistently denied the allegations, stating that the only gifts she received from Hiranandani were “one scarf, one lipstick, and one eye shadow.” She vehemently denied accepting Rs 2 crores in cash for raising questions in Parliament. Moitra described Dehadrai’s complaint as fake, accusing the government of using it as a pretext to target her.
The Ethics Committee report recommended an “intense, legal, institutional inquiry” by the central government in a “time-bound manner” and suggested an investigation into the ‘money trail’ between Moitra and Hiranandani. The report also revealed that Moitra had visited the UAE four times from 2019 to 2023 while her login was accessed several times.
Moitra’s expulsion from the Lok Sabha marks a significant moment in the Indian political landscape, highlighting the complexities of parliamentary ethics and the ongoing conflict between the ruling party and the opposition. The incident raises critical questions about the conduct of MPs and the procedures followed in addressing such allegations within the parliamentary framework.
