Nishikant Dubey, a BJP Lok Sabha MP, accused Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra of accepting "cash and gifts" from businessman Darshan Hiranandani in order to "ask questions in Parliament" on Sunday, news agency PTI reported. Moitra, for her part, replied to the charges by stating the CBI is welcome to conduct an investigation. Dubey wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, requesting an investigation into Moitra and her immediate suspension from the House for accepting payment in exchange for asking questions.
Dubey stated that he has received a letter from Jai Anant Dehadrai, a lawyer, in which he has revealed indisputable proof of bribes exchanged between Moitra and Darshan Hiranandani, a well-known business tycoon, to ask questions in Parliament in exchange for 'cash' and 'gifts'.
"It appeared that the representationist, Dehadrai has made elaborate and painstaking research on the basis of which he has concluded that quite recently, Moitra asked approximately 50 questions in Parliament of the total 61 posted by her, which shockingly pertain to the protect the business interests of Darshan Hiranandani and his company," the BJP MP's letter read.
He went on to say that the plot does not end here, but that an attempt has been made to target Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah so that everyone believes Moitra is challenging the government while being in opposition.
"The representationist has also forwarded all the relevant papers/documents in support of his information which I am enclosing along with my instant letter," he claimed.
"After having meticulously gone through all the papers or documents, there is not an iota of doubt about a criminal conspiracy hatched by Moitra, Member of Parliament to garner and protect the business interests of Hiranandani - by asking Parliamentary Questions, which is reminiscent of 'Cash for Query' episode of 12 December, 2005. All these nefarious and abhorable acts of Moitra is a clear case of 'Breach of Privilege', 'Contempt of the House' and also a criminal offence under Section 120-A of the Indian Penal Code," he said.
He further stated that whenever there is a Parliament session, the yelling brigade of the All India Trinamool Congress, led by Moitra and Saugata Roy, has a tendency of disturbing the proceedings by continually abusing each and every body on one pretext or another.
"I along with scores of other Members of Parliament were always perplexed as to why this 'shouting brigade' of TMC, lead by Moitra indulges in such tactics, which is purely snatching the Constitutional rights of other members to debate and discuss the issues of common people and policies of the government," Dubey said.
"Now, with the unmasking of quid pro quo in form of the ugly and deliberate motive of Moitra to raise money from a businessman in lieu of asking questions in Lok Sabha, it has become amply clear that the edifice of 'morality' being exhibited by Moitra was nothing but a 'Machiavellian Camouflage' for committing a crime by entering into a criminal conspiracy and at the same time enjoying the title given to Smt Mahua Moitra as a 'firebrand Memb of Parliament', which is nothing but a sham," he alleged.
"Since the instant episode is nothing but a re-emergence of 'Cash for Query' by Moitra, I humbly request your goodself 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, Moitra may be immediately suspended from the services of the House so that she may not be able to enter into Parliament precincts and does not further attempt to vitiate the serene atmosphere of Parliament," Dubey added.
On the other hand, in response to to Dubey's allegation, Moitra took to X, and in a series of tweets, said: "Multiple breach of privileges pending against fake degreewala and other BJP luminaries. Welcome any motions against me right after Speaker finishes dealing with those. Also waiting for ED and others to file FIR in Adani coal scam before coming to my doorstep."
"Also welcome CBI enquiry 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 and buy airports but just try doing it with me," she added.