The CM accused the BJP of resorting to “vendetta politics” due to an inability to defeat the TMC in elections.
NEW DELHI: West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee laid bare all her arms against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the expulsion of TMC MP Mahua Moitra from the Lok Sabha, in the cash-for-query scandal, on Friday.
Calling the move “unacceptable” and a “betrayal” of India’s parliamentary democracy, Banerjee said, “I am sad to see the attitude of the BJP party and how they betray democracy. It is a shame for parliamentary democracy. They did not allow Mahua to explain her stand. Full injustice has been done.”
FLASH: Parliament commitee confirms expulsion of controversial TMC MP #MahuaMoitra from the #LokSabha in the ‘#CashForQueryScam‘.
The #EthicsCommittee report was tabled in the House in the morning.
Reports: @rohanduaT02
Source: Sansad TV pic.twitter.com/EDJuumaJST— The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) December 8, 2023
The CM accused the BJP of resorting to “vendetta politics” due to an inability to defeat the TMC in elections. Asserting solidarity with Mahua Moitra, the 68-year-old remarked, “They (BJP) can’t defeat us in the election, so they have resorted to vendetta politics. It is a sad day.”
ALSO READ: Mahua expelled from Lok Sabha, calls jury ‘kangaroo court’
She predicted Moitra’s return to Parliament with a stronger mandate, cautioning the BJP that their majority should not be wielded with impunity. Banerjee added, “They must keep in mind that a day might come when they may not be in power.”
The expulsion of Moitra followed a heated debate over the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee panel report, during which Moitra was not allowed to speak. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi moved a motion for her expulsion, citing “unethical conduct,” and the motion was adopted by a voice vote.
FLASH: #MamataBanerjee, TMC chairperson, condemns #MahuaMoitra‘s expulsion from Lok Sabha: “Today, I am saddened by the BJP’s undemocratic approach. They denied Mahua the opportunity to explain herself.
She further adds, “Full injustice has been done….they gave 30 mins time… pic.twitter.com/Tt9HWHQ3ji
— The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) December 8, 2023
Moitra, undeterred by her expulsion, declared her intention to continue the fight both inside and outside Parliament.
Outside the Parliament, she accused the BJP of harbouring animosity towards Muslims and women. Additionally, she highlighted concerns regarding national security, questioning the involvement of businessman Adani in acquiring critical infrastructure assets.
ALSO READ: Mamata speaks up on Mahua; predicts surge in her popularity
“I am 49 years old, I will fight you for the next 30 years inside Parliament, outside Parliament.’, said Mahua.
The controversy surrounding Moitra emerged when BJP MP Nishikant Dubey accused her of accepting bribes from businessperson Darshan Hiranandani to pose questions in the Lok Sabha.
The Lok Sabha Ethics Committee initiated a probe, culminating in a report accusing Moitra of compromising national security by sharing login credentials. The report alleged that Moitra had accepted bribes in various forms from Hiranandani.
FLASH: Expelled from Parliament, #MahuaMoitra declares war: ‘I am 49 years old, I will fight you for the next 30 years inside Parliament, outside Parliament.’
Ex MP strongly criticizes Ethics Committee for adopting ‘cash-for-query’ recommendation.
All TMC and opposition MPs… pic.twitter.com/vl8l0Oca9G
— The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) December 8, 2023