After the ethics committee's recommendation of ‘expulsion’, Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra on Friday said the ‘cash-for-query’ row stems from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's desperation to keep the Adani group's alleged “coal scam” hidden. He wants to gag anyone who flags the issue related to the group, Moitra added.
In an interview with PTI, Moitra said any such allegation would have “brought down the government” in other countries.
“The issue is how not to allow a lawmaker to raise questions in the House...Adani has a Rs 13,000 crore coal scam. In any other country, this would have brought down the government. Mr Modi deep in his heart knows this. So they are desperate to keep this hidden as long as possible,” she said.
Moitra also accused the central government of using the inauguration of Ayodhya’s Ram Temple “as part of this plan”.
“Modi and Adani are running the government... Anyone who questions and calls them out is in panic. We are one of the few people who are doing this. So their idea is shut them up, put them in jail,” said Moitra.
She also alleged there was no mention of “cash” in the 500-page report adopted by the panel on Thursday.
Moitra is accused of taking bribes from businessman Darshan Hiranandani for asking questions in parliament targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and industrialist Gautam Adani. She is also facing allegations of sharing login details of her parliament account with the businessman.
BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, who filed complaint against her, has claimed Moitra accepted cash and gifts in return for asking Hirandani's questions in Parliament.
Moitra was summoned by the panel on November 2, though she walked out midway, accusing the panel chairman of asking personal and unethical questions.
She also questioned why wasn't businessman Darshan Hiranandani, he is the CEO of summoned by the panel.
"He is a person who has bribed a public servant...if it is true, how can he not be called," she added.
