New Delhi: After West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee clarified that her party, TMC, will fight alone during Lok Sabha polls in the state, Congress leader Supriya Shrinate stated that Mamata Banerjee has a very important role in the INDIA Bloc. She is a part of this alliance, and we will contest this election together, she further added.
Tag: TMC
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Beginning Of Disintegration Of INDIA Bloc? AAP, TMC Decide To Go Solo; Congress Sends Peace Message |
The Lok Sabha Election 2024 is just around three months away the fissures between the INDIA bloc are widening day by day. While the opposition bloc is yet to finalize its seat-sharing plan, Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress in West Bengal and Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab have decided to go solo. According to reports, Congress wanted to contest around 10 seats in Bengal and 5-6 seats in Punjab but none of the parties – AAP and TMC – agreed.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today said that the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will win all 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab. On the other hand, Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee said that her party declared that the Trinamool Congress would fight alone in Bengal. “I had no discussions with the Congress party. I have always said that in Bengal, we will fight alone. I am not concerned about what will be done in the country but we are a secular party and in Bengal, we will alone will defeat BJP.”
Banerjee claimed that she shared many suggestions with Congress but the grand old party rejected it and thus the TMC has taken this decision. The Bengal Chief Minister also claimed she had not been informed of Rahul Gandhi’s Nyay Yatra passing through Bengal, contrary to claims by the Congress that they had invited INDIA bloc parties to join the Yatra. “They did not even bother to inform me that they would be coming to West Bengal as a matter of courtesy even though I am a part of the INDIA bloc. So there is no relation with me as far as Bengal is concerned” Mamata Banerjee said.
Seeing the decision of the TMC and the AAP, Congress sent a message of peace. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said that TMC is an important pillar of the INDIA alliance and the alliance cannot be imagined without Mamata Banerjee. “When the journey is long, there can be some speed breakers in the path, and there can be a red light as well, but that does not mean that we should stop the journey itself. The journey continues; we cross the speed breakers, and red lights turn green,” said Jairam Ramesh. He also said that the issues would be resolved soon and INDIA alliance would contest West Bengal standing united.
RJD also tried to send a similar message. RJD leader and Rajya Sabha MP, Manoj Jha claimed that the statement was given in some particular situation and said that INDIA parties will solve the conflict.
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In Big Setback To INDIA Bloc, Mamata Banerjee’s TMC To Contest 2024 Polls Alone In Bengal |
KOLKATA: In a huge setback to the Opposition INDIA bloc, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said that her party TMC will contest the upcoming Lok Sabha election in Bengal on all 42 seats. She further stated that TMC will consider a pan-India alliance with the Congress-led INDIA bloc only after the 2024 election results have been declared. Mamata has also reportedly instructed the Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders and supporters to gear up for a fierce electoral battle on all 42 Lok Sabha seats in the state. During a meeting in Kalighat, Mamata asserted, “Be ready to fight on all seats. I wanted to leave two, but Congress wants twelve.”
She added, “I had no discussions with the Congress party. I have always said that in Bengal, we will fight alone. I am not concerned about what will be done in the country but we are a secular party and, in Bengal, we will alone defeat BJP. I am a part of the INDIA alliance.”
“I gave many proposals but they rejected them from the beginning. From then, we have decided to fight the elections in Bengal alone,” the TMC chief said.
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee says “I had no discussions with the Congress party. I have always said that in Bengal, we will fight alone. I am not concerned about what will be done in the country but we are a secular party and in Bengal, we will alone defeat BJP. I am a part of… pic.twitter.com/VK2HH3arJI
— ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2024
The Bengal Chief Minister also claimed that she had not been informed of Rahul Gandhi’s Nyay Yatra passing through Bengal, contrary to claims by the Congress that they had invited INDIA bloc parties to join the Yatra. “They did not even bother to inform me that they would be coming to West Bengal as a matter of courtesy even though I am a part of the INDIA bloc. So there is no relation with me as far as Bengal is concerned” Mamata Banerjee said.
Warning Shots: TMC’s Seat-Sharing Deadlock
With seat-sharing discussions with Congress yielding no results, Mamata had earlier cautioned that TMC is prepared to independently contest all 42 Lok Sabha seats if not given the “due importance.” This declaration sets the stage for a potential showdown within the INDIA bloc.
Strategic Meeting In Murshidabad: Rallying The Troops
Mamata’s message was delivered during a closed-door organisational meeting of the party’s Murshidabad district unit, known for its significant minority population and historical ties to the Congress. Emphasizing the need for victory in all three Lok Sabha seats in the district, Mamata urged TMC workers to be battle-ready.
Congress’ Waning Influence: Bengal’s Political Chessboard
In the 2019 general elections, Congress managed to retain only the Baharampur seat in West Bengal, highlighting its diminishing political foothold. The state’s political dynamics reveal a complex scenario with TMC, Congress, and CPI(M)-led Left Front allying against the BJP, creating rifts within the Opposition.
The INDIA Bloc Turmoil: TMC’s Offer And Congress’ Rejection
Tensions escalated as TMC reportedly offered Congress only two seats, a proposal rejected by the grand old party. Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, state Congress president, emphasized that Congress would not “beg” for seats. The fallout raises concerns about the unity of the Opposition ahead of the crucial Lok Sabha elections.
Last week, the TMC abstained from an INDIA bloc virtual meeting, underscoring the necessity for Congress to recognize its limitations in West Bengal. The ruling party emphasized its role in spearheading the state’s political battle, hinting at growing discontent within the alliance.
Historical Alliances: TMC’s Past Ties With Congress
The Trinamool Congress had previously allied with Congress in the 2001 assembly polls, 2009 Lok Sabha elections, and the 2011 assembly polls, leading to the ousting of the CPI(M)-led Left Front government after 34 years. The current discord between TMC and Congress adds a new chapter to their political history. With Mamata’s decision to go alone, it now appears that the doors are closed for the Congress in Bengal. For the INDIA bloc, stitching together a formidable alliance has proven to be a stumbling block and it appears that now the alliance may not be able to put together a united front against the BJP.
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Eviction notice pasted at Mahua Moitra’s residence
Following her expulsion over a cash-for-query scandal, expelled TMC leader Mahua Moitra faces another setback as an eviction notice is pasted on her Delhi bungalowThe notice was pasted by the Directorate of Estates, and the eviction proceedings are ongoing.
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‘Vanishing’ Team Of Rahul Gandhi Faces More Challenges As INDIA Bloc Seat-Sharing Deal Turns Lethal For Congress |
Rahul Gandhi has kicked off programs for his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra from Manipur today but at the same time, his party Congress has suffered a massive setback in Maharashtra where senior party leader Milind Deora resigned from the party and has joined CM Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. While the Congress leaders have accused the BJP of hatching conspiracy ahead of Rahul Gandhi’s yatra, the grand old party has turned a blind eye to a storm that is brewing within the party.
According to reports, Milind Deora resigned after Congress agreed to let Shiv Sena-UBT retain Mumbai South Parliamentary seat. Deora was adamant about contesting the seat and thus left the party. Deora is the first casualty of the INDIA Bloc seat-sharing deal. With the impending general elections this year, the Congress is navigating a delicate balance, aiming to steer clear of potentially embarrassing incidents akin to Sachin Pilot’s rebellion in Rajasthan—a state they recently lost in the assembly elections.
The Mumbai South Seat is currently held by Arvind Sawant of the Shiv Sena, aligned with Uddhav Thackeray’s faction. Since Sena UBT won the seat when it was in alliance with the BJP, if Shinde Sena fields Deora from the seat, it might be looking at a potential winning candidate with a proven track record in the constituency.
For Congress, Deora’s departure marks a significant loss for the Congress, particularly in terms of shaping the party’s strategy in the region. This exit creates a void that may pose challenges to fill in the upcoming elections.
As the Lok Sabha election gets closer, the Congress has lost a leader of calibre who commands a significant vote share in the region. While Sawant had got around 4.21 lakh votes in the 2019 polls, Deora was runner-up with over 3 lakh votes. Deora’s exit will also have an impact on the impending Maharashtra assembly elections.
Deora’s exit also marks the increasing void within the Congress as leaders who were once close to Rahul Gandhi are slowly deserting the party. This includes Jyotiraditya Scindia, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Hardik Patel, Ashwani Kumar, Sunil Jakhar, RPN Singh, Amarinder Singh, Jitin Prasada, and Anil Antony among others.
Now, the Congress party is already in talks with the Aam Aadmi Party, Samajwadi Party, and Trinamool Congress for seat sharing in Punjab, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. Since Congress has shown a willingness to take a backseat in the seat-sharing deal, it will be ceding more seats to INDIA bloc partners and that may certainly hurt the ambition of its many leaders. If the Congress party fails to control the dissent, then more leaders may quit the party ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, further weakening the party.
The Congress has already witnessed voices of dissent over its decision to avoid the Ram Temple consecration ceremony. Leaders from across the northern belt are reportedly unhappy with the party’s move to desist from attending the Ram temple event. These issues are crucial and Congress needs a solution at the earliest. Otherwise, for a party which is almost on life-support for the last two parliamentary polls, the coming days will be more challenging.
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Putting Aside Differences, Mamata Banerjee Invites PM Modi To Visit Ganga Sagar Mela |
Kolkata: Keeping aside her political differences with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday extended a warm invitation to him to visit the Ganga Sagar Mela, an annual celebration during Makar Sankranti. In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, she not only emphasized the event’s uniqueness but also appealed for its designation as a ‘National Fair.’
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee writes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, appealing to him to declare Ganga Sagar Mela a National Fair. She also requests him to make a visit to Ganga Sagar. pic.twitter.com/hl3VktPYtb
— ANI (@ANI) January 11, 2024Unique Significance Of Ganga Sagar Mela
Mamata highlighted the Ganga Sagar Mela as one of the “largest spiritual human congregations” globally, second only to Kumbh Mela. She described the geographical splendour of the event, taking place at the confluence of the mighty Ganga River and the Bay of Bengal, unmatched in the world. The Sagar Island, where the Mela is held, sits adjacent to the Sundarbans area.
Historical And Religious Roots
The Chief Minister delved into the historical roots of the Mela, tracing it back to a time when the Indian Oceanic network connected Eastern Indian trade with ancient Greco-Roman commerce. She underscored the religious significance, stating that the Ganga Sagar Mela has deep mythological and astrological connections, referenced in ancient Indian epics like the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Kalidasa’s Raghuvamsham.
A Global Pilgrimage Destination
Mamata emphasized that Ganga Sagar Mela is the only such event organized on an island not connected to the mainland. Despite this, it attracts pilgrims from across the world and various Indian states, with almost 1 crore pilgrims visiting last year and expectations of surpassing that number this year.
State Initiatives And Financial Challenges
The Chief Minister outlined the state government’s initiatives to ensure the smooth and safe movement of pilgrims, fully funded by the state exchequer. She mentioned the substantial expenditures incurred by the state government to organize an event of this magnitude, currently without any contribution from the central government.
Mamata disclosed that she had previously requested the central government to declare Ganga Sagar Mela as a ‘National Fair,’ equivalent to the recognized Kumbh Mela. However, a decision on this matter is still pending. In 2021, she raised concerns about the disparate financial support from the Centre, citing its funding for Kumbh Mela but not for Ganga Sagar Mela.
Ganga Sagar Mela 2024
The Ganga Sagar Mela for the year 2024 is scheduled from January 8-16, promising a spiritual and cultural extravaganza. The Chief Minister’s invitation to Prime Minister Modi not only highlights the cultural richness of the event but also seeks to elevate its status to a national level.
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Supreme Court seeks Lok Sabha secretary general’s reply on Mahua Moitra’s expulsion plea
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought a reply from the Lok Sabha secretary general on Trinamool Congress leader Mahua Moitra’s plea challenging her expulsion from the Lower House. A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta refused to pass any order on an interim prayer of Moitra to let her attend the proceedings of the House, saying, allowing it would be like allowing the main petition.
“We will consider your plea for interim relief in March,” Justice Khanna told Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for Moitra.
The top court also refused to issue any notice to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and the Committee on Ethics of Lok Sabha — both were made a party by Moitra in her plea — and said it would only seek a reply from the Lok Sabha secretary general. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Lok Sabha secretary general, requested the court not to issue a formal notice and said that he would file a reply to Moitra’s petition.
Mehta said the court should not venture into the internal matter of discipline in the sovereign organ of the state. The bench then passed the order and listed the matter for further hearing in the week starting March 11.
On December 8, after a heated debate in the Lok Sabha over the panel report, during which Moitra was not allowed to speak, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi moved a motion to expel the TMC MP from the House for “unethical conduct,” which was adopted by a voice vote. The ethics committee found Moitra guilty of “unethical conduct” and contempt of the House as she shared her Lok Sabha members’ portal credentials — user ID and password — with unauthorised people, which had an irrepressible impact on national security, Joshi had said. The committee had also recommended that in view of the “highly objectionable, unethical, heinous and criminal conduct” of Moitra, an intense legal and institutional inquiry be initiated by the government with a set deadline.
The motion moved by Joshi said Moitra’s “conduct has further been found to be unbecoming as an MP for accepting gifts and illegal gratification from a businessman to further his interest, which is a serious misdemeanour and highly deplorable conduct” on her part.
Earlier, ethics committee Chairman Vinod Kumar Sonkar had tabled the first report of the panel on a complaint filed by Bharatiya Janata Party MP Nishikant Dubey against Moitra.
In October last year, Dubey, on the basis of a complaint submitted by Supreme Court lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai, alleged that Moitra had asked questions in the Lok Sabha in exchange for cash and gifts from businessman Darshan Hiranandani to mount an attack on industrialist Gautam Adani and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In an affidavit to the ethics committee on October 19, last year, Hiranandani claimed that Moitra had provided him with her login ID and password for the Lok Sabha members’ website.
The Central Bureau of Investigation has already filed a preliminary FIR in the case.
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INDIA bloc: TMC will lead charge in Bengal, India Bloc nationally: Mamata Banerjee
Setting the tone for 2024 Lok Sabha polls, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said INDIA bloc will taken on the BJP-led NDA in the country while Trinamool Congress will fight on its own in Bengal. Banerjee kicked off the campaign for Lok Sabha polls through a worker’s meet and a public rally at Chakla in North 24 Parganas district.
Banerjee’s statement on Thursday made clear that there are remote chances of any alliance or seat-sharing with Congress or Left Front in the state.
Banerjee also hit out at the BJP on CAA, saying, “the citizenship card is a ploy ahead of every Lok Sabha polls in a bid to woo the votes of the Matua community.”AITC took to its X handle and said, “@BJP4India’s yearly revival of the CAA issue is merely a ploy to manipulate people and garner votes. They’ve repeatedly misled the Matua community with false promises of citizenship. Had the Matuas not been legitimate citizens, how would they possess Aadhaar cards, voter IDs, ration cards, and receive the benefits of government schemes and services?”
Wooing the Matua community in Chakla, Banerjee spoke about the developmental works done for the community in the Matua-dominated North 24 Parganas district.
“Who did the developmental work for the Matua Thakurbari? We did it and have built colleges and universities… But ahead of elections, they (BJP) visit the Matua Thakurbari and ask for votes, making tall claims,” the West Bengal CM questioned.While talking about the CAA, Banerjee reminded people that all are the citizens of this country. “If you are not a citizen of this country, how are you receiving free ration, Swasthya Sathi, Pan Card, Aadhaar Card? Previously, the citizenship card was the responsibility of the District Magistrates, but the same has been taken away…They want to divide people,” Banerjee asserted.”The Matuas, who came to Bengal from Bangladesh till 1971, live in colonies and we are giving pattas to all those colonies under the name “Chirosthaayi Thikana” to ensure that they don’t have to live like refugees,” Banerjee said.
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Cash-for-query row: Lawyer Dehadrai, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey appear before Ethics Committee of LS
By PTI
NEW DELHI: Lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai and BJP leader Nishikant Dubey on Thursday appeared before the Ethics Committee of the Lok Sabha to record their statements in connection with the cash-for-query allegations against Trinamool Congress member Mahua Moitra.
In his complaint to Speaker Om Birla, BJP member Nishikant Dubey has cited documents shared by Dehadrai to back his cash-for-query allegations against Moitra.
Birla had referred the matter to the committee headed by BJP member Vinod Kumar Sonkar.
Dehadrai was the first to record his statement before the Ethics Committee, while Dubey appeared before the panel in the afternoon.
Dubey told reporters that he would reply to whatever questions the committee would ask him.
“Documents don’t lie,” Dubey said when pointed out that Moitra had refuted all the allegations levelled against her.
In the letter to Birla dated October 15, Dubey said the advocate, close to Moitra before they fell out, has shared “irrefutable evidence of bribes exchanged” between her and businessman Darshan Hiranandani to target the Adani Group and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The fiery TMC member dismissed the charges as a “jilted ex’s lies”, a reference to Dehadrai, and accused the Adani Group of being behind them to target her as she has been relentless in raising questions on the conglomerate’s practices and transactions.
In his letter to the speaker, Dubey said 50 of 61 questions she asked in Lok Sabha till recently were focused on the Adani Group.
In a signed affidavit, Hiranandani, the CEO of real estate-to-energy eponymous group, who allegedly paid her to raise questions in Parliament, said the TMC leader targeted Gautam Adani to “malign and embarrass” Modi whose impeccable reputation gave the opposition no opportunity to attack him. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
NEW DELHI: Lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai and BJP leader Nishikant Dubey on Thursday appeared before the Ethics Committee of the Lok Sabha to record their statements in connection with the cash-for-query allegations against Trinamool Congress member Mahua Moitra.
In his complaint to Speaker Om Birla, BJP member Nishikant Dubey has cited documents shared by Dehadrai to back his cash-for-query allegations against Moitra.
Birla had referred the matter to the committee headed by BJP member Vinod Kumar Sonkar.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });
Dehadrai was the first to record his statement before the Ethics Committee, while Dubey appeared before the panel in the afternoon.
Dubey told reporters that he would reply to whatever questions the committee would ask him.
“Documents don’t lie,” Dubey said when pointed out that Moitra had refuted all the allegations levelled against her.
In the letter to Birla dated October 15, Dubey said the advocate, close to Moitra before they fell out, has shared “irrefutable evidence of bribes exchanged” between her and businessman Darshan Hiranandani to target the Adani Group and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The fiery TMC member dismissed the charges as a “jilted ex’s lies”, a reference to Dehadrai, and accused the Adani Group of being behind them to target her as she has been relentless in raising questions on the conglomerate’s practices and transactions.
In his letter to the speaker, Dubey said 50 of 61 questions she asked in Lok Sabha till recently were focused on the Adani Group.
In a signed affidavit, Hiranandani, the CEO of real estate-to-energy eponymous group, who allegedly paid her to raise questions in Parliament, said the TMC leader targeted Gautam Adani to “malign and embarrass” Modi whose impeccable reputation gave the opposition no opportunity to attack him. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
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Cash-for-question row: TMC oscillates as BJP mounts offensive over MP Mahua Moitra
Express News Service
NEW DELHI: Launching a scathing attack on Trinamool Congress (TMC) over the ‘cash-for-question’ controversy surrounding its MP Mahua Moitra, the BJP on Sunday asked the ruling party of West Bengal to clear its stand on the issue.
Meanwhile, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, who has been relentlessly attacking Moitra, said that he will observe a “ceasefire till Dussehra on October 24”.
Breaking its silence on the controversy, TMC on Sunday said that it will take an appropriate decision after the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee completes its investigation into the charges against Moitra.
Speaking to the media, TMC’s Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien said, “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.”
He added that the party has observed media reports on the matter.
TMC’s West Bengal general secretary and spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said the party has nothing to say on the issue and that the “person around whom this controversy is revolving is best suited to react to this”.
BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla asked the TMC central leadership to clarify its official stand on the row.
Taking to X, he asked, “TMC’s official stand on Mahua Moitra is that ‘we won’t comment’. The said MP will defend herself. Does it mean: 1) TMC accepts Mahua Moitra has made serious breaches, including giving her login to be operated from foreign soil by a rival corporate entity in exchange for kickbacks? 2) If so, then why is TMC still retaining her rather than sacking her? 3) Is the TMC afraid of taking this action because the party itself has something to hide? Perhaps people in the party knew or endorsed it? TMC must clarify.”
The events unfolded last week after Nishikant Dubey and Moitra’s estranged partner and lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai alleged that the TMC MP took favours from business tycoon Darshan Hiranandani and shared her Parliament login credentials to raise questions in the lower House.
Dubey also wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to constitute a committee to look into the charges against Moitra and to suspend her from the House till the panel completes its inquiry.
Birla has deferred the complaint against Moitra to Parliament’s Ethics Committee, which will record the statements of Dubey and Dehadrai on October 26.
Moitra has steadfastly denied the allegations and has welcomed inquiries from the CBI and the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee. She also said that she has turned down two offers of a peace deal.
Darshan Hiranandani, the CEO of the Hiranandani Group, who allegedly paid Moitra to raise questions in Parliament about the Adani Group, recently claimed in a signed affidavit that she targeted Gautam Adani to “malign and embarrass Prime Minister Modi”.
Moitra has refuted all the allegations and raised questions over the credibility of Hiranandani’s affidavit. She has alleged that his affidavit appeared to be drafted by the Prime Minister’s Office and Hiranandani might have been forced to sign it, faced with the threat of a “total shutdown” of his family’s businesses.
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NEW DELHI: Launching a scathing attack on Trinamool Congress (TMC) over the ‘cash-for-question’ controversy surrounding its MP Mahua Moitra, the BJP on Sunday asked the ruling party of West Bengal to clear its stand on the issue.
Meanwhile, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, who has been relentlessly attacking Moitra, said that he will observe a “ceasefire till Dussehra on October 24”.
Breaking its silence on the controversy, TMC on Sunday said that it will take an appropriate decision after the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee completes its investigation into the charges against Moitra. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });
Speaking to the media, TMC’s Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien said, “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.”
He added that the party has observed media reports on the matter.
TMC’s West Bengal general secretary and spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said the party has nothing to say on the issue and that the “person around whom this controversy is revolving is best suited to react to this”.
BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla asked the TMC central leadership to clarify its official stand on the row.
Taking to X, he asked, “TMC’s official stand on Mahua Moitra is that ‘we won’t comment’. The said MP will defend herself. Does it mean: 1) TMC accepts Mahua Moitra has made serious breaches, including giving her login to be operated from foreign soil by a rival corporate entity in exchange for kickbacks? 2) If so, then why is TMC still retaining her rather than sacking her? 3) Is the TMC afraid of taking this action because the party itself has something to hide? Perhaps people in the party knew or endorsed it? TMC must clarify.”
The events unfolded last week after Nishikant Dubey and Moitra’s estranged partner and lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai alleged that the TMC MP took favours from business tycoon Darshan Hiranandani and shared her Parliament login credentials to raise questions in the lower House.
Dubey also wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to constitute a committee to look into the charges against Moitra and to suspend her from the House till the panel completes its inquiry.
Birla has deferred the complaint against Moitra to Parliament’s Ethics Committee, which will record the statements of Dubey and Dehadrai on October 26.
Moitra has steadfastly denied the allegations and has welcomed inquiries from the CBI and the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee. She also said that she has turned down two offers of a peace deal.
Darshan Hiranandani, the CEO of the Hiranandani Group, who allegedly paid Moitra to raise questions in Parliament about the Adani Group, recently claimed in a signed affidavit that she targeted Gautam Adani to “malign and embarrass Prime Minister Modi”.
Moitra has refuted all the allegations and raised questions over the credibility of Hiranandani’s affidavit. She has alleged that his affidavit appeared to be drafted by the Prime Minister’s Office and Hiranandani might have been forced to sign it, faced with the threat of a “total shutdown” of his family’s businesses.
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