Mahua Moitra's 'cash for questions' row: Lawyer Jai Dehadrai, Nishikant Dubey to appear before LS ethics committee today
Lawyer Jai Dehadrai and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Nishikant Dubey will record their statements before the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee in connection with the "cash for questions" charge brought against Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra, media reports said.
The controversy surrounding Moitra kickstarted after Dubey on October 15 accused the TMC leader, who is known for her fiery speeches in Parliament, of asking questions on businessman Gautam Adani in Parliament in exchange for money.
Dubey, a three term MP from Jharkhand's Godda constituency, cited a letter from Moitra's estranged partner Jai Anant Dehadrai, a Supreme Court lawyer, in claiming that Moitra received bribes.
Photo courtesy: Facebook/Nishikant Dubey
The BJP MP has appealed to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to form an inquiry committee to probe into the allegations brought against the first-term parliamentarian from West Bengal's Krishnanagar constituency.
Moitra, whose choice of words had triggered rows both inside and outside Parliament in the past, has been accused of accepting bribes from businessman Darshan Hiranandani.
Defending herself in the whole row, Moitra in one of the X posts said, "Amused to hear of @AshwiniVaishnaw letter to Fake Degree Wala promising support in “probe” against me! Still waiting for @HMOIndia & @Ministry_CA to probe Farji Dubey’s illegal entry into airport ATC room last year with kids!"
Amused to hear of @AshwiniVaishnaw
— Mahua Moitra (@MahuaMoitra) October 24, 2023
letter to Fake Degree Wala promising support in “probe” against me!
Still waiting for @HMOIndia & @Ministry_CA to probe Farji Dubey’s illegal entry into airport ATC room last year with kids! #BJPHitJobUnravelling!
How did TMC respond?
Moitra's party TMC, which is headed by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has maintained a distance from the entire row.
Refusing to comment on the controversy, TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said, "The party has nothing to say on this issue. We think the person around whom this controversy is revolving is best suited to react to this."
BJP takes jibes at Moitra
BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya took a jibe at Moitra, who was pulled up by her party chief on some occasions publicly in the past, for allegedly abandoning her in the entire episode.
"It is not surprising that Mamata Banerjee has abandoned Mahua Moitra. She will defend no one else but Abhishek Banerjee, who is no less delinquent...
"Several TMC leaders are in jail on serious corruption and criminal charges but Mamata Banerjee has maintained radio silence," Malviya wrote on X.
It is not surprising that Mamata Banerjee has abandoned Mahua Moitra. She will defend no one else but Abhishek Banerjee, who is no less delinquent… Several TMC leaders are in jail on serious corruption and criminal charges but Mamata Banerjee has maintained radio silence.
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) October 21, 2023
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