West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has strongly criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the expulsion of her party MP Mahua Moitra...
Digital Desk: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has strongly criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the expulsion of her party MP Mahua Moitra from the Lok Sabha today, terming it a clear case of "vendetta politics." Moitra, 49, faced expulsion following an Ethics Committee report that found her guilty of accepting bribes in exchange for criticizing the government.
Accusations against Moitra suggest that she received cash and luxurious gifts from businessman Darshan Hiranandani in return for posing questions in Parliament that portrayed the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government in a negative light. Chief Minister Banerjee vehemently denounced the move, declaring it an attack on democracy.
"This is vendetta politics of BJP. They killed democracy...It is injustice. Mahua will win the battle. The people will give a befitting reply to the BJP. They will be defeated in the next election," Chief Minister Banerjee declared today.
Banerjee expressed dismay over the alleged denial of an opportunity for Moitra to defend herself against the allegations. "It is a shame for parliamentary democracy. We condemn the way Mahua Moitra was expelled; the party stands with her. They (the BJP) can't defeat us in the election, so they have resorted to vendetta politics. It is a sad day and the betrayal of Indian parliamentary democracy," she added.
Despite heated debate and calls from Moitra and opposition members for her to speak, she was not given the chance to defend herself before the vote. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi moved a motion for her expulsion based on "unethical conduct," a motion subsequently adopted by a voice vote.
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