Cash-for-query row | TMC to take ‘appropriate decision’ after Parliament probe: O'Brien

Breaking the party’s silence over the cash-for-query row, TMC’s Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien on Sunday said the Trinamool Congress leadership will take an appropriate decision regarding the allegations against its MP Mahua Moitra after the Parliamentary panel probing the matter completes its investigation.

O'Brien's remarks to news agency PTI came amid the BJP's sharp attack on the TMC, questioning its silence on the serious allegations against the Krishnanagar MP.

Moitra has been accused of receiving cash and expensive gifts from businessman Darshan Hiranandani for asking questions in Parliament. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey has written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, seeking an investigation into allegations that Moitra received bribes from the businessman and also shared her Parliament login credentials. The Trinamool MP has trashed the allegations.

Responding to a question on the controversy, O'Brien said the party has “observed reports in the media”. “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 said.

The Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool has so far avoided commenting on the explosive allegations against Moitra. Asked about the matter, TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh on Saturday said the party “will not say a word” on this issue. “The person (Moitra) may explain or answer the issue. We are observing the issue and gathering information, but we don't want to comment now,” Ghosh told news agency ANI.

Earlier, BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said Trinamool can’t just say “no comments” without clarifying whether their silence means acceptance of Moitra's “breaches”. Questioning the party as to why it has not yet sacked Moitra, the BJP leader asked if the party is afraid of taking any action against Moitra because the party itself has something to hide.

“Perhaps people in the party knew or endorsed it? TMC must clarify," Poonawalla said. “Does it mean TMC accepts Mahua Moitra had made serious breaches including giving her log in to be operated from foreign soil by a rival corporate entity in exchange for kickbacks?” the BJP leader said