Bharatiya Janata Party MP Nishikant Dubey on Sunday wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla demanding the immediate suspension of Trinamool Congress’ Lok Sabha MP Mahua Moitra for allegedly “accepting bribes in exchange for posing questions in Parliament”.
In his letter to the Speaker dated October 15, Dubey alleged that “bribes were exchanged” between Mahua Moitra and a businessman to ask questions in Parliament in exchange for cash and gifts. Dubey also sought immediate action against her, including the formation of an inquiry committee and her immediate suspension from the House. He accused her of breach of parliamentary privilege, contempt of the House, and criminal conspiracy.
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“Whenever there is a Parliament session, the shouting brigade of All India Trinamool Congress, led by Mahua Moitra and Saugata Roy, is in the habit of disrupting the House’s proceedings through continuous abuses,” Dubey alleged in his two-page letter.
Citing “evidence” provided by advocate Jai Anat Dehadrai, Dubey alleged that of the 61 questions that Moitra had asked in parliament, approximately 50 of them seemed to seek information with the intent of protecting or promoting the business interests of the said businessman and his company.
Dubey claimed that the “conspiracy” involved vehemently targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah by frequently mentioning the Adani Group, possibly with the intention of seeking cover for her alleged clandestine criminal operation.
Dubey claimed that this episode is reminiscent of the ‘Cash for Query’ scandal of December 2005 and accused Moitra of ‘Breach of Privilege’ and ‘Contempt of the House.’ He also alleged that her actions could attract penalties under Section 120-A of the Indian Penal Code.
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He stated that the tactics used by Trinamool Congress leaders infringed on the constitutional rights of other members to debate and discuss the issues of common people and government policies.
The BJP leader asserted that a “quid pro quo” arrangement has been discovered and accused Mahua Moitra of “raising money from businessmen in exchange for asking questions in the Lok Sabha while targeting another business group.” He further said that the title of ‘firebrand Member of Parliament’ given to Mahua Moitra was “nothing but a sham.”
“I humbly request your good self to constitute an ‘Inquiry Committee,’ by following the past precedent. I also request you that during the interregnum period, i.e. constitution of an ‘Inquiry Committee’ and its submission of Report, Smt. Mahua Moitra may be immediately suspended from her parliamentary duties.” Dubey said.
Mahua Moitra rejects charges
In response to the allegations, Moitra posted a series of tweets on Twitter, saying if the Adani Group “is relying on a dodgy dossier created by dubious Sanghis & circulated by fake degree wallahs to either shut me up or bring me down, I would advise them not to waste their time.”
Moitra has asserted that she welcomes any kind of inquiry. Taking to Twitter, she wrote, “Multiple breaches of privileges pending against fake degree-wala & other @BJP4India luminaries. Welcome any motions against me right after the Speaker finishes dealing with those. Also waiting for @dir_ed & others to file FIR in Adani coal scam before coming to my doorstep.”
Welcoming the CBI inquiry, she said, “Also welcome @CBIHeadquarters inquiry into my alleged money laundering right after they finish investigating Adani’s offshore money trail, over-invoicing, benami accounts. Adani may use BJP agencies to browbeat competition & buy airports, but just try doing it with me.”
Taking a dig at the BJP MP, she claimed, “Am using all my ill-gotten cash & gifts to buy a college/university in which Degree Dubey can finally buy a real degree. Please @ombirlakota @loksabhaspeaker finish the inquiries against him for false affidavits & then set up my inquiry committee.”