Mahua Moitra Protests with Opposition MPs, Accusing Ethics Panel of Violating Every Rule

Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, who was expelled from the Lok Sabha, has criticized the parliamentary ethics committee that investigated cash-for-query allegations against her, accusing it of “breaking every rule.” Speaking to reporters outside parliament, Moitra expressed concerns about potential harassment by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the future. The ethics committee submitted its report in parliament after conducting weeks of cross-examinations involving all parties involved, including the complainant’s lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai and BJP leader Nishikant Dubey.

Moitra was not given an opportunity to speak on the matter in parliament, prompting protests from some opposition leaders who believed she should have been allowed to present her viewpoint. Moitra condemned the Lok Sabha for conducting what she described as a relentless witch-hunt against her, a first-time MP and single woman without any political lineage. She also criticized the ethics committee for being weaponized against the opposition, stating that it has broken every rule in the book.

Opposition leader Sonia Gandhi expressed solidarity with Moitra’s statements. The committee justified not allowing Moitra to speak by stating that she had already been given an opportunity to present her views during a committee meeting held on November 2. However, political analyst Tehseen Poonawalla argued that Moitra did not receive a fair hearing and questioned the committee’s scope, stating that it can only decide whether an MP can be punished, not determine the extent of the punishment.

Moitra referred to Jai Anant Dehadrai, who filed the complaint with the CBI, as her “jilted ex.” The complaint alleged that Moitra provided her parliament login ID to businessman Darshan Hiranandani to target the Adani Group and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The article concludes by stating that a response is awaited.