Mahua Moitra, a Member of Parliament from India’s opposition Trinamool Congress party (TMC), is facing accusations of misconduct and bribery in parliament. The controversy arose when Nishikant Dubey, a lawmaker from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), claimed that Moitra had asked questions targeting the Adani Group in exchange for gifts and cash from a businessman. Moitra has vehemently denied the allegations and is prepared to face any inquiry. The case is currently being heard by a parliamentary ethics committee, although it lacks the power to punish Moitra. Its recommendation will be presented to the house for a final decision. If expelled, Moitra can challenge the decision in court.
The Adani Group’s financial dealings have been under scrutiny since Hindenburg Research, a US firm specializing in “short-selling,” accused the conglomerate of stock manipulation and accounting fraud. Moitra, along with other opposition lawmakers, has called for an investigation into these allegations. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) is currently investigating the matter.
On October 15th, Dubey submitted a letter to the speaker of the lower house of parliament, alleging that Moitra accepted bribes from businessman Darshan Hiranandani, amounting to ₹20 million ($240,542), in exchange for targeting the Adani Group and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Moitra has filed defamation cases against Dubey, Hiranandani, and several news organizations, while the Hiranandani Group has refuted the allegations.
However, on October 20th, Hiranandani submitted a sworn affidavit to the ethics committee, claiming that Moitra had targeted Adani and his enterprises to gain fame. He further accused her of sharing her parliamentary login credentials with him to facilitate posting questions on her behalf. Moitra has questioned the authenticity of the affidavit, highlighting the absence of official letterhead and notarization.
The controversy surrounding Moitra has garnered national attention due to her significant political influence in West Bengal. She has appealed to both urban and rural voters and is seen as a viable contender in the upcoming general elections in 2024. Supporters of Moitra argue that the allegations are a strategy by the BJP to undermine her popularity. Federal minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has emphasized the gravity of the allegations.
Moitra’s political career began when she joined the TMC in 2010 after working in the banking sector. She successfully contested the parliamentary elections in 2019, securing a majority of 60,000 votes from Krishnanagar constituency, West Bengal. Her maiden speech in parliament gained widespread attention as she criticized the BJP government, describing India as witnessing “signs of fascism.” This speech catapulted her into the political spotlight and solidified her position within the TMC, which already has Mamata Banerjee as its leader.
The ongoing controversy has prompted speculation about Banerjee’s response, as she is known for her fiery speeches and leadership. Banerjee leads an opposition alliance aimed at challenging the BJP in the upcoming elections. In 2021, she publicly reprimanded Moitra for internal party conflicts.
The outcome of the ethics committee’s investigation and any subsequent actions taken against Moitra will have implications for both her political career and the BJP’s strategies for the 2024 general elections. The Adani Group’s reputation and financial dealings are also under scrutiny, with potential consequences for the conglomerate’s business operations.
As the case develops, it is crucial to ensure a fair and unbiased investigation. The allegations should be thoroughly investigated, and Moitra, Dubey, and Hiranandani should have the opportunity to present their evidence and counterarguments. It is essential to uphold the principles of transparency and accountability to maintain public trust in the parliamentary system and the integrity of elected representatives.
