Oppn members walk out as panel grills MP Moitra

Trinamool Congress (TMC) parliamentarian Mahua Moitra on Thursday deposed before the Lok Sabha's ethics committee in connection with allegations cash-for-query against her, but walked out of the dramatic hearing midway alongside five other Opposition members of the panel, alleging that the chairperson was unethical and asked her "filthy" and "personal" questions.

- Saubhadra Chatterji

Later, she wrote to Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla, alleging that she was subjected to "vastraharan" (disrobing) by him in the presence of panel members.

The panel chair - Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member Vinod Sonkar - hit back, alleging that the Krishnanagar lawmaker was using anger to deflect legitimate questions, and used unparliamentary language against the panel and the chair.

"The aim of the probe was to ascertain the facts related to the allegations of the unethical conducts of Mahua Moitra. Instead of cooperating with the committee, she became angry and used unparliamentary words against the panel and the chairman," he said. Moitra is facing serious allegations that she accepted money and favours to ask questions in Parliament, and gave her password and login to businessman Darshan Hiranandani, who has corroborated the charges. If found guilty, she could be disqualified from the Lok Sabha.

The TMC leader has rejected the charges and said she was open to any investigation.

Moitra appeared before the committee at 11am and attempted to defend herself. But high drama ensued when the panel reassembled after lunch.

“Is this an ethics committee? Asking all the filthy questions?” a visibly upset Moitra asked, as she stormed out of the meeting, accompanied by some Opposition members.

Moitra later wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. “I write to you in great anguish today to update you on the unethical, sordid, and prejudiced behaviour meted out to me at the hearing of the ethics committee by the chairman. I have been subjected to the proverbial vastraharan (disrobing) by him in the presence of all members of the committee,” she said.