In a scathing attack on the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Union Home Minister Amit Shah accused its MPs of compromising the dignity of Parliament by accepting bribes and gifts. 

This assertion by Mr. Shah comes in the wake of the cash-for-query case involving TMC MP Mahua Moitra. 

The Home Minister, while addressing a massive rally in Kolkata, called for the removal of the TMC government in the upcoming assembly polls and set the stage for an initiative in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Trinamool MPs Tainted by Corruption

Mr. Shah did not explicitly name anyone but stated, “Even TMC MPs have tarnished the dignity of Parliament. Can MPs who seek gifts and bribes in exchange for questions contribute positively to West Bengal?” 

This statement highlights the grave concern over the alleged corruption within the TMC. The Home Minister emphasized that the corruption associated with the TMC has stained the reputation of West Bengal.

The controversy surrounding Mahua Moitra revolves around allegations of her accepting bribes for posing questions in the Parliament.

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey lodged a complaint against the TMC member, accusing her of being influenced by businessman Darshan Hiranandani to target the Adani Group and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Lok Sabha Ethics Committee, led by BJP MP Vinod Kumar Sonkar, conducted an investigation into the matter and recommended Ms. Moitra’s expulsion from the House.

Expulsion and Criticism

The report submitted by the Ethics Committee accused Ms. Moitra of accepting “not legal gratifications” and using these rewards to raise questions in Parliament at the behest of the businessman.

In response to this decision, Mahua Moitra dismissed it as a “pre-fixed match by a kangaroo court” and deemed it a “death of parliamentary democracy.” 

These strong words reflect her dissatisfaction with the committee’s verdict.

Implications for Mamata Banerjee and the TMC

It is worth noting that West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee had suggested that the BJP was planning to expel Mahua Moitra from Parliament.

Mamata Banerjee argued that such an action would benefit the TMC MP from Krishnanagar ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. 

With Amit Shah’s scathing remarks against the TMC, it becomes evident that the BJP is actively working towards removing the TMC government in the upcoming assembly and Lok Sabha polls.

The allegations of bribery and corruption against the Trinamool Congress MPs, as voiced by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, raise serious concerns about the integrity of elected representatives and the functioning of Parliament. 

The TMC must address these allegations and take appropriate action to restore the dignified reputation of Parliament. 

As the 2024 Lok Sabha elections draw near, it remains to be seen how these controversies impact the political landscape in West Bengal.