A recent controversy involving Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra has caused a stir in the political landscape. BJP Member of Parliament Nishikant Dubey alleged that Moitra accepted bribes in exchange for her parliamentary questions. According to Dubey, businessman Darshan Hiranandani offered Moitra ₹2 crore and extravagant gifts, including a high-end iPhone, along with a sum of ₹75 lakh to support her election campaign.
In response to these allegations, the Hiranandani Group has vehemently denied any involvement, declaring that the accusations hold “no merit.” The group emphasized its dedication to business matters and its commitment to working with the government for the betterment of the nation, stating that they remain uninvolved in political affairs.
Nishikant Dubey has demanded the immediate suspension of Mahua Moitra, accusing her of accepting bribes to target the Adani group and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a letter addressed to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, he alleged that Moitra’s actions constitute a breach of parliamentary privilege, contempt of the House, and criminal conspiracy.
Responding to the allegations, Mahua Moitra expressed her willingness to cooperate with any inquiry that may arise from the situation.
Nishikant Dubey further claimed that between 2019 and 2023, approximately fifty out of sixty-one questions posed by Moitra were at the behest of Darshan Hiranandani. He contended that the businessman had direct access to Moitra’s Lok Sabha account, enabling him to post questions on her behalf. These allegations are based on thorough research conducted by advocate Jai Anand Dehadrai, who has approached the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) with this information.
The questions raised by Moitra pertained to various topics, including oil and gas supply from Paradip, Dhamra Port, urea subsidies, steel prices affecting the real estate sector, and the powers of the Income Tax Department. Dubey also alleged that opposition parties took their cues from Moitra’s line of questioning.
In his letter to the Lok Sabha Speaker, Dubey referenced a past “cash for questions” scandal that emerged in 2005, in which eleven MPs were suspended in a record time of twenty-three days. He drew a parallel to the current situation, suggesting that it is reminiscent of the earlier “cash-for-query” issue.
