In the wake of the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee’s contentious vote to recommend the expulsion of Trinamool MP Mahua Moitra from Parliament, a web of controversy and procedural errors emerged. The committee’s Chairman, BJP MP Vinod Kumar Sonkar, defended the decision, citing protocol adherence, while accusations of obstruction loomed large. This article delves into the intricacies of this unfolding political drama and dissects the key events that led to this controversial expulsion.
Bahujan Samaj Party lawmaker Danish Ali spearheaded the opposition’s challenge to the committee’s decision, alleging procedural errors. He voiced concerns about the lack of discussion regarding a voluminous 500-page report that seemingly omitted crucial details from the initial hearing.
“We (opposition MPs on the Committee) have raised questions on procedure from Day 1. The Chairman was 15 minutes late, and the meeting lasted only 2.5 minutes,” Mr. Ali asserted. The absence of a substantial discussion on such a significant report raised eyebrows. Notably missing from the report were the details from the committee’s first sitting, which included statements from Ms. Moitra and her accusers. Mr. Ali expressed his dissatisfaction, pointing out that the opposition’s questions went unanswered.
Mr. Ali claimed that the committee head, Mr. Sonkar, swiftly pushed the report to a vote and departed. In response, Mr. Sonkar defended the process, stating, “There were some people who wanted to obstruct the probe… but the report was adopted by a majority. Danish Ali, who tried to obstruct, submitted his dissent note.”
The vote outcome saw six members, including suspended Congress MP Preneet Kaur, who is also former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh’s wife, in favor of the report. Those who opposed the decision submitted dissent notes, with a common complaint being the perceived unfairness of the inquiry. Critics argued that Darshan Hiranandani, the businessman accused of giving bribes to Ms. Moitra, should have been summoned to ensure a “free-and-fair inquiry.”
Simultaneously, Mr. Ali criticized certain unnamed committee members, asserting that Ms. Moitra was subjected to “filthy questions” during the statement recording. Opposition MPs contended that Mr. Sonkar repeatedly posed personal questions to Mahua Moitra. In response, the BJP leader dismissed the allegations, insisting that Ms. Moitra had not cooperated.
The controversy surrounding the expulsion of Mahua Moitra prompted Mr. Ali to draw comparisons with the Privilege Committee hearing against BJP leader Ramesh Bidhuri. He highlighted the apparent stagnation in the latter case, where communal slurs had been directed at him.
