Bharatiya Janata Party MP Nishikant Dubey on October 15 accused Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra of accepting "cash and gifts" from businessman Darshan Hiranandani in order to "ask questions in Parliament". The allegation prompted reactions from various members of the opposition.
Shiv Sena UBT faction's Sanjay Raut responded to the allegations against Moitra and said that 'BJP can’t digest someone questioning any industrialist, including Adani'.
“BJP can’t stomach someone questioning any industrialist, including Adani, which is why they level such allegations. Mahua Moitra is a renowned leader of the TMC and they (BJP) are trying to demoralise her,” Raut said.
JDU leader Neeraj Kumar also responded to the allegations and said that the allegations were "baseless". Adding that India is a democracy and that the BJP MPs cannot decide who will ask what.
"The question which Mahua Moitra asked has become a basic question in this country. And who will ask what in the Parliament, would also be decided by BJP MPs under Narendra Modi's rule? This is a democracy and everybody has the right to ask questions... They should provide evidence. How can you make baseless allegations against anyone?.. If anyone wants to see open corruption, then it is under PM Modi's rule," Neeraj Kumar told ANI.
Union minister and BJP leader Giriraj Singh defended Dubey's allegations and said that he is an awarded parliamentarian. Whenever he speaks he does so with facts.
Other members of BJP such as West Bengal BJP general secretary and MLA Agnimitra Paul also supported the demand for an inquiry.
"Nishikant Dubey is putting the allegations that Mahua Moitra has been taking money or bribes in kind or cash by some Mr Hiranandani in exchange of raising some particular questions in Parliament...We want to know if Mahua Moitra has taken a bribe. Let there be an inquiry and if it is proved, let her be expelled from her MP post. We want an investigation," Paul said.
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