Cash-for-query row: BJP, TMC trade barbs, ethics committee to investigate

The political landscape of India is presently embroiled in a heated exchange between BJP's Nishikant Dubey and TMC's Mahua Moitra, a dispute that emerged on October 15.

The contentious topic, known as "cash-for-query," revolves around allegations of bribery and misconduct within parliamentary operations.

Backed by documents from lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai, Dubey accused Moitra of accepting bribes from businessman Darshan Hiranandani in return for raising questions concerning the Adani Group and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament.

These allegations have sparked a bitter dispute, prompting Dubey to call for an inquiry committee to investigate Moitra's actions.

A day before the Parliamentary Ethics Committee convened, Nishikant Dubey reiterated his stance on Mahua Moitra, stressing that the issue isn't merely about Adani, degrees, or theft but about deception and dishonesty that confuses the nation.

Also Read: Mahua Moitra's cash-for-query row: What you need to know

The politics of accusation

Mahua Moitra was accused of accepting funds to pose questions against Adani in Parliament.

While the ethics committee delves into the claims made by Nishikant Dubey, Moitra maintains her position, calling for an investigation into Dubey's educational qualifications and denouncing the allegations as a political ploy by the BJP.

On Tuesday, Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw sent a letter to Nishikant Dubey, emphasizing the gravity of the allegations of "cash for query."

The National Informatics Centre, under the purview of the IT ministry, will aid the Ethics Committee in conducting the investigation.

In response, Mahua Moitra questioned the veracity of the claims, citing Nishikant Dubey's allegations that the NIC provided information about "Dubai logins" to the investigative agency.

She said that it's a plot against her.

Industrialist Darshan Hiranandani, accused of bribing Mahua to pose questions against Adani in Parliament, admitted to his error.

During a television interview, Hiranandani, based in Dubai, remarked, "I think this entire episode is frankly a grievous lapse in judgment and is deeply regrettable."

He clarified that he was not coerced into signing the affidavit, countering Mahua Moitra's assertion that the Prime Minister's Office might have pressured him. Hiranandani had the affidavit notarized at the Indian Consulate in Dubai and sent it via email to the Lok Sabha Privilege Committee and the CBI.

Key points

• On October 15, a significant dispute arose when Nishikant Dubey accused Mahua Moitra of accepting money and favors in exchange for raising questions in Parliament.
• Speaker Om Birla referred Dubey's complaint to the Parliament's Ethics Committee for examination.

• Nishikant Dubey claimed to have received a letter from Jai Anant Dehadrai, a Supreme Court lawyer who was once Mahua Moitra's associate, providing evidence of Moitra's involvement in bribery.
• Dubey alleged that out of the 61 questions posed by Mahua Moitra in the Lok Sabha, 50 pertained to the Adani Group.
• Her criticisms intensified following a critical report by the Hindenburg Research group on the Adani Group.

• The altercation escalated when Mahua Moitra referred to Nishikant Dubey as a "Fake Degree MP" and attributed the issue to him and her "jilted ex."
• Darshan Hiranandani, the CEO of a prominent company, claimed in a letter that Moitra targeted Gautam Adani to undermine Prime Minister Narendra Modi's reputation.

• Moitra, however, questioned the authenticity of Hiranandani's statement, suspecting coercion by the Prime Minister's office, driven by fears of harm to his family's businesses.

The TMC, of which Mahua Moitra is a member, is yet to issue an official statement on the matter, indicating that a decision will be made following the completion of the Parliamentary Ethics Committee's investigation.