Days after BJP MP Nishikant Dubey’s ‘cash for query’ allegation against Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra, TMC MP Derek O’Brien said that the party leadership will take appropriate decision on the allegations against Moitra after the parliamentary ethics committee concludes its probe.

Responding to attacks by the saffron party over TMC’s silence on the matter, Derek O’Brien told PTI, “We have observed reports in the media. The member concerned has been advised by the party leadership to clarify her position regarding the allegations levelled against her. She has already done that. However, since the matter has to do with an elected MP, her rights and privileges, let the matter be investigated by the right forum of Parliament- after which the party leadership will take an appropriate decision.”

Also Read: NIC should release details of all MPs’ login locations: Mahua Moitra hits back at Nishikant Dubey

Mahua Moitra has been accused of being bribed in the form of cash and expensive gifts from industrialist Darshan Hiranandani in exchange for asking questions against Gautam Adani in the Parliament.

So far, the TMC has distanced itself from the allegations and refrained from commenting on the matter.

Also read: ‘Selective leak of a plea bargain’: Mahua Moitra on businessman’s affidavit

Previously, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey and lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai had alleged that Moitra had accepted favors from Hiranandani in exchange for raising questions in Parliament. In response, Moitra filed a defamation suit against them before the Delhi High Court. Meanwhile, Dubey’s complaint has been referred to Parliament’s Ethics Committee by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.

TMC’s West Bengal general secretary and spokesperson Kunal Ghosh stated that the party has nothing to say on the issue, and the “person around whom this controversy is revolving is best suited to react to this.”

Also Read:‘Cash for query’ row: Parliamentary Committee summons Nishikant Dubey to provide ‘oral evidence’ against Mahua Moitra

‘Cash for query’ row

Allegations suggest that Mahua Moitra received expensive gifts or money in exchange for asking questions about Gautam Adani in Parliament. She has been accused of receiving cash and costly gifts from businessman Darshan Hiranandani.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Nishikant Dubey 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 for asking questions in Parliament in exchange for cash and gifts. Dubey also called for immediate action against her, including the formation of an inquiry committee and her immediate suspension from the House.

The Lok Sabha’s Ethics Committee is currently investigating Nishikant Dubey’s complaint and has scheduled his appearance on October 26 to record “oral evidence.” The committee has also summoned Supreme Court lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai to support their claims that Mahua Moitra was posing questions in the Lok Sabha “in exchange for favors and gifts from Hiranandani.” It is alleged that she even “granted him access to her Parliament login ID and password.”

In a signed affidavit submitted to the committee, Hiranandani acknowledged using Moitra’s parliamentary login to raise questions targeting Adani. This action occurred after the state-owned Indian Oil Corporation booked capacity at Adani’s Dhamra LNG import facility in Odisha, as opposed to Hiranandani’s planned facility.

On the other hand, Moitra responded on Friday, saying, “I welcome answering questions to CBI and the Ethics Committee (which has an absolute majority of BJP members) if and when they call me. I have neither the time nor the interest to engage in an Adani-directed media circus trial or respond to BJP trolls. I am enjoying Durga Puja in Nadia. Shubho Sashthi.”

(With PTI Inputs)