05 November,2023 08:44 PM IST | Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Mahua Moitra/ Facebook
Trinamool Congress MP, Mahua Moitra, has raised concerns that the BJP is strategising to file "criminal cases" against her. The statement came in the aftermath of her recent appearance before the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee in relation to allegations of cash for query, stated an agency report.
Moitra has further emphasised her claim that Ethics Committee Chairperson, Vinod Kumar Sonkar, posed "cheap" and "irrelevant" questions during the hearing on November 2.
Taking to X (erstwhile Twitter), Moitra expressed, "I am deeply concerned to learn that the BJP is contemplating initiating criminal cases against me." She continued, "I welcome them, but it is imperative to acknowledge that the CBI and ED must file an FIR against Adani for the Rs. 13,000 crore coal scam before questioning the number of pairs of shoes I own."
Moitra also warned the BJP, stating, "Before you attempt to discredit female MPs with a fabricated narrative, remember that I possess the EXACT transcript of the proceedings in the Ethics Committee verbatim. The Chairman's inappropriate and irrelevant queries, the opposition's objections, my protests - all of it is officially documented in black and white."
On November 2, five members of the Opposition, along with Moitra, walked out of the meeting, alleging that Sonkar posed inappropriate and personal questions about her travel, hotel stays, and telephone calls. Moitra subsequently claimed she was subjected to a "proverbial vastraharan" during the meeting, a charge dismissed by the committee chairperson as an attempt to shield her, stated the report.
BJP MP Nishikant Dubey accused Moitra of raising questions in the Lok Sabha at the behest of businessman Darshan Hiranandani to target the Adani Group in exchange for bribes. According to Dubey, Hiranandani used her parliamentary login ID to submit questions from different locations, predominantly Dubai. Moitra has acknowledged that Hiranandani used her login credentials but denied any financial inducements, asserting that most MPs share their login details with others, stated the report.
The ethics committee is set to convene again on November 7 to review and adopt its draft report concerning the allegations against Moitra. There are indications that the committee may make a recommendation against her in its report to Speaker Om Birla, with the possibility of dissenting notes from opposition members.
