Opposition MPs Walk Out of Committee Meeting Amidst Cash-for-Query Controversy

Opposition MPs, led by Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, walked out of a parliamentary ethics committee meeting amidst allegations of misconduct during the proceedings regarding the cash-for-query matter. The Opposition claimed that the committee posed “personal and unethical questions” to Ms. Moitra and that confidential information was leaked to the media while the meeting was in progress. Ms. Moitra expressed her frustration with the committee’s line of questioning, stating, “They are picking on anything. Talking any rubbish.”

Ms. Moitra, who faced allegations of involvement in cash-for-query, argued that the complaint against her was motivated by a “sour personal relationship.” Her deposition primarily focused on her relationship with Supreme Court lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai, who filed the complaint, and the leaks and allegations stemming from it. BJP MP VD Sharma urged her to address the substance of the allegations rather than her relationship. Despite denying the cash-for-query accusations, Ms. Moitra admitted to sharing her parliamentary login ID with businessman Darshan Hiranandani.

The ethics committee’s inquiry into the matter centered on the nature of Ms. Moitra’s ties with Mr. Hiranandani, as many of her parliamentary questions pertained to sectors in which his companies held interests. The committee sought to determine whether national security had been compromised. The complaint against Ms. Moitra alleged that she had shared her login ID to target the Adani Group and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with businessman Hiranandani’s affidavit admitting to posting questions on her parliamentary login. If proven, this could lead to her expulsion from the house for breaching parliamentary privilege.

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