Trinamul's Abhishek Banerjee Defends Mahua Moitra, Says She is "Competent Enough to Fight Her Own Battles"

Abhishek Banerjee, national general secretary of Trinamul, defended Mahua Moitra on Thursday, stating that she was "competent enough to fight her own battles" despite being accused of accepting money from a businessman in order to raise questions in Parliament.

At least five hours before the Lok Sabha's Ethics Committee approved its draft report and suggested Moitra's ouster from the House, the heir apparent to the Trinamul party defended Moitra.

His remarks were the first on the cash-for-query issue since it began on October 21 and came from a member of the Trinamul high brass, which consists of Abhishek and his aunt Mamata Banerjee.

"Efforts are made to expel that person from Parliament if they want to fight the government or question the Adanis' or the government's role," Abhishek said.

Given the Trinamul leadership's protracted quiet on the matter, many have questioned if Moitra, the party's most ardent opponent in Parliament of the Narendra Modi administration and its purported ties to the Adani company, had the backing of her colleagues.

According to sources in Trinamul, Abhishek was holding off on making a statement until the perfect time, but he was granted the chance to do so after hearing that the ethics tribunal had recommended Moitra's expulsion.

"I sense that this move by the federal government... and from what I've seen in the ethics committee report, they've stated that an inquiry against her should take place," Abhishek stated during his interrogation by the Enforcement Directorate at its Salt Lake headquarters about the Bengal bribe-for-jobs affair.

"Why has an expulsion been suggested if you have nothing against Mahua and it is the topic of an investigation? Mahua is capable of fighting her own fights, in my opinion.

Abhishek questioned why the committee had addressed the subject so quickly when earlier issues had been stored in the freezer.

Drawing comparisons between his situation and Moitra's, Trinamul Number Two said, "They are victimising me for four years too, it is their standard practise."

Although Abhishek's remarks seemed to refute the notion that Trinamul was not supporting Moitra, several party members questioned Mamata's continued silence.

The suggestion must be presented in Parliament on the first day of its next session, according to sources close to the chief minister, thus there was no need for her to respond at this time as the issue had not yet reached its climax.

Mamata is renowned for considering all options before taking a position on controversial issues.

But Moita has said that she is strong enough to fight her own fights, that she has Mamata's approval, and that the chief minister has been preoccupied with more important matters.

The party's stance on Mahua is split. According to a Trinamul MP, "some think she's a victim, while others think she's been saying too much.

One effect of the cash-for-query problem that the party has spoken about a lot is that it has diverted attention from Trinamul's campaign against the Centre for allegedly denying Bengal of its rightful compensation under the rural housing program and the 100 days work plan.

Abhishek's endorsement of Moitra prompted Trinamul's spin doctors to clarify the party's stance on the cash-for-query incident.

"The MP will handle the technical aspects of the allegations. The recommendation for Moitra's dismissal was made public before their report was even submitted. "It's all very unethical," party spokesman Shashi Panja declared.

"Anyone raising criticisms of the Prime Minister and his allies is facing silence and having their voice suppressed. It's astonishing how unjust everything is and how blatantly unseemly it all is.

According to sources close to Moitra, who was occupied attending political events in her district, Abhishek's remarks supported her claim that the party supported her.

"This country's parliamentary democracy has been reduced to a farce, I repeat," Moitra said, noting that the committee's report had been approved in two minutes without any debate.

"I've been telling people in my political programs how my questions about the PM's ties to the Adani group have scared them," the woman remarked.

"What matters most is that the people in my constituency are supporting and encouraging me to fight."