In the first comments from the Trinamool Congress on cash-for-query allegations levelled by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey against TMC MP Mahua Moitra, the party’s second-in-command Abhishek Banerjee asked why the ethics panel has recommended her expulsion from the Lok Sabha when nothing has been proved so far. Moitra is accused of taking money from a prominent businessman for asking questions in Parliament. The Lok Sabha Ethics Committee, which inquired into the allegations, is learnt to have recommended her expulsion from the 17th Lok Sabha in its draft report. Banerjee was summoned by Enforcement Directorate on Thursday to appear in connection with an alleged recruitment scam. Afterwards, speaking to the media, he said: "I feel this step by the central government and what I read of the ethics committee report, they have said an investigation should happen against her. If you do not have anything against Mahua and it is the subject of investigation, then why has an expulsion been recommended? I feel Mahua is competent enough to fight her battles on her own. They have been victimising me for four years too; it is their standard practice.” The TMC had so far maintained a studied silence on the issue. Banerjee said there are many BJP MPs against whom impeachment motions have been brought, but those matters have not been heard yet. "Nothing has happened against Ramesh Bidhuri (for communal remarks directed at BSP MP Danish Ali in Parliament); only when somebody speaks against the government, questions are raised. Mahua is competent enough to handle it," he said. “It shows how, if someone wants to fight against the government, question the role of the government, question the Adanis, an attempt is made to remove them from the post of MP. How can action be taken against someone without anything being proved?" he said.
