Trinamool MP Mahua Moitra has been expelled from the Parliament after Ethics Panel's recommendation over cash-for-query row. Opposition INDIA bloc leaders questioned the Lok Sabha Ethics Panel recommendation for expelling Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, and accused the BJP-led government of doing "vendetta politics".
The report was tabled in the Lok Sabha today amid an uproar by opposition MPs who questioned the procedure followed by the panel and demanded a discussion on the report. The Ethics Committee, which investigated the allegations made by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, adopted its 500-page report on November 9 recommending Ms Moitra's expulsion from the 17th Lok Sabha in view of her "highly objectionable, unethical, heinous and criminal conduct."
The draft report was adopted by a 6:4 majority in the panel last month. The report on Ms Moitra's cash-for-questions case reveals that she visited the UAE four times from 2019 to 2023 while her login was accessed several times. Six members of the panel voted in favour of the report, including Congress MP Preneet Kaur who had earlier been suspended from the party. Four members of the panel belonging to opposition parties submitted dissent notes.
Here are the Highlights on Winter Session of Parliament:
Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha adjourned till 11am on 11 December
Trinamool Congress leader Mahua Moitra was expelled from Lok Sabha today following an Ethics Committee report held her guilty of taking bribes in exchange for criticising the government.
"Ironically, the ethics committee which was set up to serve as a moral compass for members, instead has been abused today to do exactly what it was never meant to do - which is to bulldoze the Opposition and become another weapon to thok do us into submission. This committee and the report have broken every rule in the book," the visibly furious Trinamool Congress MP, flanked by Opposition MPs, told reporters on the steps outside parliament.
"... The Lok Sabha has presided over the most tenacious witch-hunt of one of the 78 MPs, a first-timer, a single woman, with no political lineage... This Lok Sabha has also seen the weaponisation of a parliamentary committee," Mahua Moitra said.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi moves the motion in the Cash for Query case
Trinamool Congress' Kalyan Banerjee on Mahua Moitra issue
Trinamool Congress MP Sudeep Bandopadhyay on Mahua Moitra issue
BJP MP Hina Gavit on Mahua Moitra issue
- During UPA govt in 2005, a report was presented and 10 Lok Sabha members were expelled on same day
- This is not a question of Treasury versus Opposition. This is about the dignity of the House
- How are you talking about natural justice while breaking rules yourself
- Mahua Moitra was asked questions by ethics panel on basis of affidavit, no 'cheer haran' was done by asking personal questions
Congress MP Manish Tewari in Lok Sabha on Mahua Moitra issue:
Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Mahua Moitra issue
- At least 4 days should be given to study LS Ethics Committee's 495-page report on Mahua Moitra issue
- Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra should be given opportunity to express her views on Lok Sabha Ethics Committee report
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Mahua Moitra issue
Ethics Committee report on TMC MP Mahua Moitra tabled in Lok Sabha today by BJP's Vijay Sonkar.
#WATCH | TMC MP Mahua Moitra says, "Maa Durga aa gayi hai, ab dekhenge...Jab naash manuj par chhata hai, pehle vivek mar jaata hai. They have started 'vastraharan' and now you will watch 'Mahabharat ka rann'."
- ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2023
Ethics Panel report on her to be tabled in Lok Sabha today. pic.twitter.com/r28o2ABVbB
- An Ethics Committee report on cash-for-query allegations against Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra is expected in the Lok Sabha today.
- If tabled, the report, which recommends Ms Moitra be expelled, will trigger an explosive stand-off between the ruling BJP and the opposition, which has demanded a division of votes to determine the Trinamool leader's immediate political future.
- Mahua Moitra, who can only be expelled if the House votes in favour of the Ethics Committee's report, which declared it found her actions "highly objectionable, unethical, heinous and criminal".
- The BJP, though, is believed to be well-prepped and a three-line whip (the strictest possible) was issued to its MPs; this means they are expected to be present and vote in line with the party's position.
- The report was to have been tabled on Monday, the opening day of this session of Parliament, which concludes on December 22.
#WATCH | On Ethics Panel report on TMC MP Mahua Moitra to be tabled in Lok Sabha today, Congress Lok Sabha Chief Whip K Suresh says, "Today, Ethics Committee report is being tabled. It is already included in the List of Business in Lok Sabha. Let us see what report are they going... pic.twitter.com/vyGe0vfq5V
- ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2023
Congress MP Manish Tewari gives Adjournment Motion Notice in Lok Sabha and demands discussion on the death penalty to 8 ex-Indian Navy personnel in Qatar.
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