The Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Congress have strongly criticised the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) over its preliminary enquiry into allegations of “bribe for question” in opposition to TMC MP Mahua Moitra. The CBI initiated the preliminary enquiry primarily based on a grievance by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, who alleged that Moitra took bribes to boost questions in Parliament, compromising nationwide safety, information company PTI reported citing officers.
Lok Sabha MP Mahua Moitra took to X and posted, “Neither has Lok Pal uploaded any referral order on web site as per Lokpal Act & nor has CBI put out something official. “Sources” telling journos as per regular media circus. Hope ₹13,000 crore Adani coal rip-off deserves CBI PE earlier than my witchhunt.”
Her remark comes as an official communique from the CBI relating to the PE is awaited.
TMC chief Kunal Ghosh labeled the CBI probe a “whole conspiracy of the BJP” and accused the social gathering of misusing businesses like CBI and ED in opposition to TMC leaders.
Ghosh acknowledged, “They’re vindictive in the direction of Bengal, Trinamool Congress, and TMC leaders. They’re making an attempt to harass the TMC by misusing the businesses. This case of Mahua Moitra is part of the identical script.”
Congress chief Rashid Alvi condemned the CBI’s inquiry, stating, “That is forceful. The CBI can not enter the probe. This subject is said to the Parliament and solely the Parliament can determine on this. On one finish, you referred the matter to a committee which can ship it to Parliament and Parliament will take a choice. The CBI has nothing to do with it. That is revengeful. All that is achieved to create issues for Mahua Moitra.”
“For the reason that BJP has come to energy, ED, CBI, and Revenue Tax have been working in opposition to the opposition. Did folks hear the ED’s identify a lot 10 years in the past? The ED and CBI work like BJP wings similar to Vishva Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal,” he added, slamming the central investigative businesses.
Moitra has denied any wrongdoing and claims she is being focused for questioning offers involving the Adani group.
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Earlier the week, Mamata Banerjee, the TMC chief, broke her silence on the difficulty, stating that plans to expel Moitra from Parliament had been underway however recommended it could solely enhance Moitra’s reputation earlier than the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Banerjee commented, “Now, they’re planning to expel Mahua (from Parliament). She’s going to change into extra fashionable because of this. No matter she used to say inside (Parliament), she is going to now say these issues exterior. Would anybody do one thing like this three months earlier than the elections if he’s not silly?”
The Lok Sabha Ethics Committee has really useful Moitra’s expulsion, accusing her of accepting unlawful gratifications to boost questions in Parliament. Moitra dismissed the choice as a “prefixed match by a kangaroo court docket” and deemed it a “demise of parliamentary democracy.”