NEW DELHI: Veteran Congressman Mani Shankar Aiyar has raised allegations of “double standards” against the BJP-led central government, claiming that it is treating the cases of parliamentary rule violations differently when it comes to BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri and Trinamool MP Mahua Moitra.
While Trinamool Congress’s (TMC) Mahua Moitra is facing allegations related to “cash-for-query,” Bidhuri had made offensive comments about BSP MP Danish Ali back in September.
Aiyar, a former union minister, expressed his concerns on Sunday, asserting that the government’s handling of these two incidents suggests varying standards, which he believes could jeopardise the essence of democracy.
Addressing an event, Aiyar emphasised the importance of protecting the spirit of the Indian Constitution. He stressed, “Each of our three pillars of democracy — the legislative, executive, and judiciary — needs to remain strong. They constitute not only the form of parliamentary democracy but also its spirit. But it’s not happening.”
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Aiyar went on to question the BJP’s differential treatment of the two MPs, stating, “The current administration at the Centre seems to be adopting a distinct approach or displaying double standards in its treatment of TMC’s Mahua Moitra and BJP’s Ramesh Bidhuri… why?”
He also issued a caution to voters in light of the upcoming general election scheduled for 2024, urging them to remain “vigilant and alert.” Aiyar remarked, “I must say that voters will need to exercise caution and careful consideration in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections… they should cast their votes in 2024 after proper thought.”
The case involving TMC MP Mahua Moitra centres on allegations that she provided businessman Darshan Hiranandani with access to her Lok Sabha login credentials in exchange for valuable gifts and other incentives.
BJP leader Nishikant Dubey has accused the businessman of using Moitra’s account to post his own questions in Parliament concerning the Adani Group, citing “evidence” provided by her former associate, Jai Anant Dehadrai.
On November 2, Moitra appeared before the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee but later exited, claiming that the panel’s chairperson, Vinod Sonkar, posed “unethical questions”. Sonkar, however, refuted her allegations, stating that she had spoken to him in an unparliamentary manner. Moitra denied any wrongdoing during the panel meeting.
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Meanwhile, South Delhi-based BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri had faced significant criticism for making “derogatory” comments about BSP MP Danish Ali in the Lok Sabha.
Mani Shankar Aiyar’s observations highlighted the contrast between Moitra’s appearance before the ethics committee and Bidhuri’s election campaign activities, raising questions about the consistent application of parliamentary rules.