Mahua Moitra Cash for Query scandal: Vinod Sonkar, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee of Ethics as we speak (October 20) knowledgeable that he has acquired an affidavit from the businessman Darshan Hiranandani relating to the ‘Cash for Query’ scandal which mentions the alleged function performed by TMC MP Mahua Moitra on this row.”I have received a letter/affidavit from Darshan Hiranandani,” Ethics Panel chairman Sonkar mentioned.
In his 3-page signed affidavit to the Ethics panel, Darshan Hiranandani had admitted to his friendship with the TMC MP Mahua Moitra and claimed that the Lok Sabha Member noticed attacking the Adani group as a path to fame.”She became Lok Sabha MP in May 2019. She was advised by her friends that the shortest route to fame was by attacking Narendra Modi. She thought that the only way to attack PM Modi was by attacking Gautam Adani and his group as they both come from Gujarat,” Hiranandani’s affidavit learn.
Hiranandani had additional claimed that Mahua Moitra did share her Parliament Login credentials with him. “She knew that Indian Oil Corporation was getting into an arrangement with Dhamra LNG a joint venture of the Adani group. She drafted a few questions that she could raise in parliament that would have elements to embarrass the Govt and target the Adani group. She shared with me her email ID as MP, so I could send her information and she could raise the questions. I went along with her proposal,” the affidavit learn.
Hiranandani additionally claims that the TMC MP additionally demanded favours and presents from him. However, Mahua Moitra has rejected the claims made within the affidavit and mentioned that it appears to be like as if the affidavit was drafted beneath strain from the BJP. Questioning the credibility of Darshan Hiranandani’s affidavit, TMC MP Mahua Moitra mentioned, “The affidavit is on white paper, and never an official letterhead or notarized. Why would one in all India’s most revered/educated businessmen signal a letter like this on white paper except a gun was placed on his head to do it?
Alleging that Businessman Hiranandani was compelled to signal the letter, Moitra mentioned, “The PMO held a proverbial gun to Darshan and his father’s heads and gave them 20 minutes to sign this letter sent to them. They were threatened with a total shutdown of all their businesses. They were told they would be finished, the CBI would raid them and all government business would stop and all PSU bank financing would be stopped immediately.”Meanwhile, Advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai on Friday alleged that makes an attempt had been made in the direction of him to withdraw his grievance registered on the Central Bureau of Investigation.
According to BJP MP Nishikant Dubey’s grievance to the Parliament Ethics Committee, Advocate Dehadrai had offered him proof of TMC MP Mahua Moitra’s involvement within the alleged ‘Cash for Query’ scandal. “An attempt was made yesterday afternoon, to coerce me into withdrawing my CBI complaint and letter to Nishikant Dubey, in exchange for Henry (his dog),” the advocate posted on X (former Twitter).
Earlier Nishikant Dubey in his letter to the Lok Sabha Speaker, titled “Re-emergence of nasty ‘Cash for Query’ in Parliament had alleged serious Breach of Privilege, ‘Contempt of the House’ and a ‘Criminal Offence’ under Section 120A of IPC” by the Trinamool Congress MP. Dubey claimed that Advocate, Jai Anant Dehadrai had offered him with proof of alleged bribes. In her response to this letter, the TMC MP had mentioned that she would welcome a probe by the speaker after he handled the alleged breach of privilege by different BJP MPs.
(With ANI inputs)
ALSO READ: OPINION | MAHUA MOITRA: MORALITY, MOTIVATION AND MISSION
