Mahua Moitra been asked to depose before the Ethics Committee in cash-for-query row (File)
New Delhi:
Amid the ongoing war of words between BJP leaders and Trinamool MP Mahua Moitra, the latter has debunked the allegations made by Union Minister Nishikant Dubey. Ms Moitra said that there has been no evidence by the BJP to back the ‘fake allegation”.
“First BJP said “Cash for Questions.” That failed since no evidence to back the fake allegation. Now it is “National Security”, said Ms Moitra in a post on X.
Ms Moitra’s statement comes after Anurag Thakur launched a scathing attack on the Trinamool MP.
Union Minister Anurag Thakur said this is a matter of “national security” and added that ‘an inquiry and appropriate action should be taken quickly’.
Amid the ongoing row, the Trinamool MP has been asked to depose before the Ethics Committee headed by BJP MP Vinod Sonkar to submit oral evidence in regard to the complaint filed against her by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey.
The face-off between Mr Dubey and Ms Moitra started when Mr Dubey wrote a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla making “cash for query” allegations against Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra and demanding an inquiry committee against her.
He urged for her “immediate suspension” from the House alleging that “bribes were exchanged between her and businessman Darshan Hiranandani to ask questions in Parliament in exchange for cash and gifts”.
In his letter titled “Re-emergence of nasty ‘Cash for Query’ in Parliament”, Mr Dubey has alleged “‘serious Breach of Privilege’, ‘Contempt of the House’ and a ‘Criminal Offence’ under Section 120A of IPC” by the Trinamool Congress MP.
Mr Hiranandani responded in an affidavit. In his three-page signed affidavit, he admitted to his close relationship with Ms Moitra and claimed that she had shared her Parliament login ID credentials with him.
“She drafted a few questions that she could raise in parliament that would have elements to embarrass the Govt and target the Adani group. She shared with me her email ID as MP, so I could send her information and she could raise the questions. I went along with her proposal” he claims in his affidavit.”
Mr Hiranandani also claimed that he used the Trinamool MP’s login credentials to post questions himself.
Responding to the affidavit, Ms Moitra, in a two-page statement, alleged that the businessman was forced to sign the “white paper.”
(Disclaimer: New Delhi Television is a subsidiary of AMG Media Networks Limited, an Adani Group Company.)
