The Winter Session of Parliament began today with the BJP aiming to put pressure on the Congress-led Opposition following their victory in the assembly elections. The ethics committee is scheduled to present its first report in the case involving Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra tomorrow.
In the case, Mahua Moitra has been accused of accepting cash and expensive gifts from businessman Darshan Hiranandani in exchange for raising questions in parliament. The ethics committee, which met on November 9, has recommended her expulsion from the Lok Sabha over these allegations.
The report was supposed to be tabled today but was postponed due to disruptions in the house. However, NDTV has obtained a copy of the report, which describes Moitra’s actions as “highly objectionable, unethical, heinous, and criminal.” The committee has recommended that she be removed from her position as an MP.
Moitra has denied the charges, arguing that there are no regulations regarding the sharing of login and password information. She had previously walked out of a meeting with the ethics panel, claiming that she was asked “filthy questions.”
Meanwhile, the Opposition is also strategizing to challenge the BJP, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, both inside and outside the Parliament. The BJP achieved a significant victory in three heartland states, displacing the Congress in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. However, the party failed to remove the BRS from power in Telangana.
The government has presented a comprehensive legislative agenda for the 15 sittings of the Winter Session, including bills to replace colonial-era criminal laws and a draft legislation for the appointment of election commissioners.
The Opposition has requested a discussion in Parliament on various issues, such as the situation in Manipur, rising inflation, and the alleged misuse of the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Overall, the Winter Session of Parliament is expected to be a crucial period for both the ruling party and the Opposition, with the ethics committee’s report on Mahua Moitra being a significant focal point.
