Stating that he is set to file his nomination for the Telangana assembly polls on November 9, Reddy requested that the next meeting be rescheduled.
Instead of giving answers, she got angry: Parliament Ethics Committee Chairman Vinod Sonkar on Mahua Moitra’s outburst and Opposition MPs’ walk out
“I had received communication that the Ethics committee meeting on Mahua Moitra issue for consideration/adoption of report would be held on November 7. Then suddenly and inexplicably the date is changed to November 9. As I am filing my nomination for the Telangana assembly elections November 9, I request you to kindly postpone the meeting to any other date,” Reddy wrote in his letter.
Meanwhile, Mahua claimed that the meeting of the Committee was postponed to keep a Congress member away from the proceedings and adopt the report by a majority, prompting a sharp retort from BJP MP Nishikant Dubey.
On his part Dubey, whose complaint against Moitra to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla led to the Ethics Committee proceedings, took a dig at the TMC member contending that it was her sense of guilt that was leading her to worry about the proceedings of the panel.
“No power on earth can save Mahua Moitra” : Nishikant Dubey’s explosive accusations against Mahua in ‘Cash for Query’ controversy
The TMC MP claimed that no draft report of the committee was circulated to the members and that the BJP leaders were reaching out to allies to ensure their attendance to adopt the report by majority. “Meeting postponed to clash with INC MP’s nomination date so he can’t come. BJP calling allies to ensure attendance to adopt via majority. Chartered flight to fly in MP state president. How scared Adani & Modi are,” Mahua posted on X.
Reacting to Moitra, Dubey posted on X, “What is there to fear about who will attend the Ethics Committee? Or whether the paper was circulated? What is in the report? Does this reflect fear or should we say that guilt conscience pricks the mind? One should be patient.”
Opposition members are expected to submit dissent notes to the committee.
Congress sources said its members Reddy and V Vaithilingam will submit dissent notes. BSP MP Danish Ali is also set to submit his dissent note.
The 15-member committee has seven members from BJP, three from Congress and one each from BSP, Shiv Sena, YSRCP, CPM and JDU.
Opposition members walked out of the November 2 meeting, alleging that Sonkar asked personal and indecent questions to Mahua regarding her travels, hotel stay and telephone calls. Moitra later alleged that she was subjected to a “proverbial vastraharan” at the meeting.