Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra recently claimed in an exclusive interview with India Today that she had been approached twice by Gautam Adani, the Chairperson of the Adani Group, over the past three years, through two Lok Sabha MPs. Moitra alleged that these approaches were for the purpose of striking a deal in which she would receive cash in exchange for not questioning certain matters.
She asserted that she refused the offers from Adani, despite never having met him personally. Moitra further claimed that she was approached again recently and asked to remain quiet for six months until the elections were over, insinuating an attempt to suppress her outspoken criticism, especially concerning Adani and the Prime Minister.
Moitra is currently facing a cash-for-query controversy, and she defended herself against various allegations. She addressed accusations related to accepting cash, expensive gifts, and having her official house renovated at someone else’s expense. She denied accepting cash and pointed out the absence of concrete evidence to support the allegations. Regarding expensive gifts, she stated that there was no itemized list of such gifts and that she had received only a Hermes scarf and some makeup from Darshan Hiranandani, a friend and associate. She clarified that the renovation of her official house was conducted by the CPWD and not by a private party.
Moitra also explained the login protocols used by MPs, emphasizing that the login to the NIC portal for submitting questions was commonly shared among secretarial staff and interns, not revealing any sensitive information. She highlighted the need for clear rules governing the use of NIC logins and challenged the allegations of improper use.
When asked about the term “hit job,” Moitra claimed that this was an orchestrated effort to target her, drawing attention away from important issues like the NREGA program and the Adani coal scam. She argued that her ex-partner, who initiated the complaint, and Nishikant Dubey, an MP from the BJP, had taken advantage of personal issues to create a media spectacle.
Regarding her refusal to take Adani’s call, Moitra stated that she did not want to compromise her principles and values. She considered Adani’s actions to be part of a larger attempt to manipulate the government’s policies and pledged to continue speaking out against such practices.
Addressing concerns about her party’s support, Moitra stressed her close relationship with Mamata Banerjee and her belief that the Chief Minister had full faith in her ability to overcome the situation.
Mahua Moitra’s interview shed light on the allegations against her, emphasizing her refusal to engage in questionable deals and defending herself against accusations of impropriety. She characterized the situation as a politically motivated “hit job” aimed at silencing her critical voice.
