What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
KOLKATA: The opposition is raising concerns about the Trinamool Congress’s (TMC) conspicuous silence regarding the Mahua Moitra issue while the ruling party in West Bengal has been highly active in response to Jyotiprioya Mallick’s arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Earlier, the TMC had told The New Indian that “our party is closely monitoring the situation.” However, as the series of events involving Moitra unfolds, the opposition has started to question the prolonged silence of the TMC.
Dilip Ghosh remarked, “With so much happening, why isn’t the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and TMC supremo saying anything about Mahua Moitra, who was also close to her? Banerjee seems overly concerned about ‘Balu’ (Jyotiprioya Mallick’s nickname).”
Ghosh added, “Mamata Banerjee’s days are numbered, and for that, the TMC doesn’t need the BJP. TMC’s party workers are sufficient for that.”
Veteran Congress Leader Pradip Bhattacharya commented, “Mahua Moitra fought against Adani, and there’s no doubt about it. Her personal life and how she manages it are her business, but it’s surprising to see the Trinamool Congress maintaining silence regarding Mahua Moitra. Why are they not addressing Moitra’s concerns? Is it because Adani has assured the West Bengal government that he will build a new port in Bengal?”
Speaking of Jyotiprioya Mallick’s arrest, Bhattacharya stated, “I do not want to comment on that, but it is distressing and unfortunate to see that in a ministry, almost half a dozen ministers are deeply entangled in corruption. Did we elect this government for corruption?”
As the Opposition questions the ruling TMC for its enthusiastic response to Jyotiprioya Mallick’s arrest by ED in a multi-crore ration distribution scandal while maintaining silence on the matter of Moitra, political analysts believe that a rift has developed between TMC and Moitra.
Biswanath Chakraborty, a political analyst, told The New Indian, “The local TMC leadership is dissatisfied with Moitra due to allegations of her behaviour towards other party workers and local leaders. At the same time, she is educated and possesses an independent character, often raising questions within the party that are difficult for an authoritarian party to accept. TMC demands unconditional loyalty, but Moitra, being educated, questions and retains autonomy, which is not favourable to the top leadership.”
Chakraborty added, “There is a gap between the party and Mahua Moitra. Additionally, Moitra’s behaviour has caused problems at the local level in Nadia. In light of these factors, the party is awaiting the outcome of the ethics committee before making a decision. In contrast to Moitra, Jyotiprioya Mallick is entirely loyal to the TMC leadership, which is why they take his situation very seriously.”
The political storm began when BJP’s Nishikant Dubey accused Moitra, who represents the Krishnanagar constituency in West Bengal, of providing Darshan Hiranandani and the Hiranandani Conglomerate with access to her Lok Sabha website login credentials for personal gain. This allegation is considered the most serious of all the charges against her by Dubey.
Furthermore, Dubey sought the ‘immediate suspension’ of the Krishnanagar MP from the House based on his allegations. Dubey and advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai were summoned by the Parliamentary Ethics Committee on October 26.
Following Dubey’s complaint against Moitra, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla referred it to the ‘Ethics panel.’
