Mahua Moitra Expulsion Report Set for Lok Sabha Discussion

The Ethics Committee report recommending the expulsion of TMC MP Mahua Moitra in a cash-for-query case is listed for tabling in the Lok Sabha, prompting opposition demands for a comprehensive discussion before any decision is made.

A report of the Ethics Committee recommending the expulsion of Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra in a cash-for-query case is listed for tabling in the Lok Sabha on Friday, December 9.

Earlier Listing and Revised Agenda

The report was previously listed in the agenda of the lower house for December 4 but was not tabled. The revised list of business for Friday issued by the Lok Sabha secretariat has listed the Ethics Committee report as agenda item number 7.

Insistence on Discussion

Various opposition members have insisted that there should be a discussion on the recommendations before a decision is taken on Moitra. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MP Danish Ali told reporters on Thursday, "If the report is tabled, we would insist on a full-fledged discussion as the draft was adopted in two-and-a-half minutes."

Adoption of Report and Dissent Notes

At a meeting on November 9, the committee headed by Vinod Kumar Sonkar adopted its report recommending Moitra's expulsion from Lok Sabha over the cash-for-query allegation. Six members of the panel, including Congress MP Preneet Kaur who had earlier been suspended from the party, voted in favor of the report. Four members of the panel belonging to opposition parties submitted dissent notes.

Opposition's Criticism

The opposition members termed the report a "fixed match" and said the complaint filed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Lok Sabha member Nishikant Dubey, which the panel reviewed, was not supported by any substantial evidence.

Expulsion Process

Moitra can be expelled only if the House votes in favor of the panel's recommendation. The Winter Session of Parliament began on Monday and is scheduled to continue till December 22.