Cash-for-query row | Ready for probe but need protection from misogyny: Mahua Moitra

TMC MP Mahua Moitra, who accused the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee of asking humiliating questions during a “cash-for-query” hearing, expressed her readiness to cooperate with the probe while stressing the importance of protection from misogyny and maintaining a standard of decency.

Moitra dubbed the ethics committee probe as a “political witch-hunt” and said the sole intention is to “suspend her” from Parliament. Moitra, who alleged that she was asked irrelevant questions about her personal life during the committee’s hearing, told PTI, “I am always ready for the probe and to answer all the questions. But there has to be a line of decency which needs to be mentioned. I need protection from cheap and derogatory questioning. I have written about this to the Lok Sabha Speaker too.”

The Krishnanagar MP affirmed her willingness to answer any questions related to the probe. She said, “I have told the Lok Sabha Speaker that he has to give me protection against the filthy, disgusting misogyny. Anything related to the inquiry, I have already answered. I have clarified my position 100 times. If I have broken any rule, I should be informed about it. If they want to ask me any questions, it’s okay, but not in this setup.”

Moitra explained that she had already addressed questions regarding her login ID and gifts, stating that nothing she had done was illegal.

She has been accused of posing questions via her parliamentary account at the behest of businessman Darshan Hiranandani and sharing her login credentials with him, with the complaint filed by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey.

Following the ethics panel meeting, its chairperson and BJP MP Vinod Kumar Sonkar said the committee’s task was to conduct a comprehensive probe into the matter. Instead of cooperating, Moitra and Opposition members reportedly became angry and used “objectionable words” while making unethical claims against him.

Moitra countered this by saying that five members from the Opposition walked out in protest against the chairman’s behaviour and unethical questioning.

(With agency inputs)