NEW DELHI: In a major development, the Parliament's Ethics Committee has recommended the expulsion of Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra from Parliament over allegations that she raised questions in the Lok Sabha on behalf of a Dubai-based businessman in exchange for payment.
The Ethics Committee, chaired by BJP MP Vinod Kumar Sonkar, submitted its report to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Wednesday, November 9, 2023. The report reportedly found Moitra guilty of "gross misconduct" and "breach of privilege" for allegedly using her parliamentary position for personal gain.
The allegations against Moitra were first leveled by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey in August 2023. Dubey claimed that Moitra had raised questions in the Lok Sabha on behalf of Darshan Hiranandani, a Dubai-based businessman, in exchange for payment of Rs. 2 crore (approximately $250,000).
Moitra has denied all allegations, calling them "baseless" and "politically motivated." She has also accused the Ethics Committee of conducting a biased investigation.
If the Lok Sabha agrees with the Ethics Committee's recommendation, Moitra will be expelled from Parliament and barred from contesting elections for six years. However, Moitra has the option to challenge the Ethics Committee's report in the Supreme Court.
The expulsion of Moitra would be a major blow to the TMC, which is the second-largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha. Moitra is a popular and outspoken MP, and her expulsion would be seen as a victory for the BJP.
The Ethics Committee's recommendation is likely to spark a political storm in India. The TMC has already vowed to fight the recommendation tooth and nail. It remains to be seen how the Lok Sabha will decide on Moitra's fate.
