New Delhi: Mahua Moitra, a prominent Trinamool Congress leader known for challenging the government with critical questions and incisive dialogue in Parliament, has been expelled from the Lok Sabha following an Ethics Committee report on 'cash for query' charges. Ms. Moitra, 49, faced allegations of accepting bribes, including ₹2 crore in cash and "luxury gift items," from businessman Darshan Hiranandani. The charges claimed she asked questions critical of the government in exchange for these favors. Despite being a vocal critic of the Modi government, Ms. Moitra denied all bribery allegations.

The Ethics Committee of the Lok Sabha presented a report on Friday recommending the cancellation of Mahua Moitra's Lok Sabha membership, a report that the Lok Sabha approved after a half-hour debate.

After a contentious discussion and voice vote on Friday, Mr. Birla declared, "This House accepts the conclusions of the Committee—that MP Mahua Moitra's conduct was immoral and indecent. So, it is not appropriate for her to continue as an MP."

In response to her dismissal, the CPI (M) characterized it as a black day for Parliament. Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, also Ms. Moitra's party leader, deemed the expulsion "unacceptable," attributing it to the "vendetta politics of the BJP" that, in her view, undermines democracy. Banerjee criticized the BJP, accusing them of betraying democracy by denying Moitra the opportunity to explain herself. She expressed confidence that Moitra would triumph in the next election.

Addressing the media, Mamata Banerjee expressed shock at the proceedings in the Lok Sabha on Friday, criticizing the BJP for rushing through the 495-page report from the Ethics Committee. She congratulated the INDIA alliance for remaining united against what she called the BJP's injustice.

The Congress condemned the swift action against Mahua Moitra, pledging to fight against the perceived injustice.

Mahua Moitra hits back: 
Minutes after her expulsion from the Lok Sabha, Trinamul Congress leader Mahua Moitra launched a scathing attack on the BJP, accusing them of ignoring the principles of natural justice and manipulating legal norms in response to the alleged cash-for-questions controversy. Moitra emphatically stated, "There is no evidence of any cash or any gifts anywhere." She underscored that the recommendation for her expulsion was solely based on her sharing the Lok Sabha portal login, for which there are no established rules.

As the Ethics Committee's hearing demonstrated, Moitra contended that Members of Parliament act as conveyors of public questions and concerns in Parliament. Criticizing the BJP's motives, she asserted, "If the Modi government thought that by silencing me, they could suppress the Adani issue, this kangaroo court has shown all of India the haste and abuse of due process they have used. It reveals how crucial Mr. Adani is to them and the lengths they would go to silence a woman MP."

Anticipating further harassment, Moitra speculated, "Tomorrow, the CBI will be sent to my house, and they will harass me for the next six months." She questioned the government's priorities, highlighting the alleged Rs 13,000 crore coal scam involving Mr. Adani, which investigative agencies have not addressed.

Moitra challenged the accusation that sharing a portal login compromised national security, emphasizing Mr. Adani's extensive investments in India's ports and airports with approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs. Undeterred by the expulsion, she declared, "I am 49 years old. I will fight you for the next 30 years inside and outside Parliament, in the gutter, on the streets." She asserted that the Ethics Committee lacked the authority to expel her, accusing them of assuming quasi-judicial powers and imposing an unjust penalty.

In a bold declaration, Moitra proclaimed, "This is the beginning of your end. Jab Naash Manush Par Chhata Hai, Tab Pehle Vivek Mar Jata Hai. We are going to come back, and we are going to see the end of you."