"Capable To Fight Her Own Battles:" Abhishek Banerjee On Mahua Moitra's Cash-For-Query Case, Calls Her 'Victim Of Politics'

Trinamool Congress general secretary Abhishek Banerjee has expressed support for party MP Mahua Moitra, who is accused of accepting money from a prominent businessman for questioning in Parliament.

Calling the Krishnanagar MP a "victim of politics", Banerjee said the firebrand leader was "capable enough to fight her own battles".

Accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party of targeting Trinamool leaders, Banerjee said, "I feel this step by the central government and what I read of the ethics committee report, they have said an investigation should happen against her. If you do not have anything against Mahua (Moitra) and it is the subject of investigation, then why has an expulsion been recommended."

He further added, "I feel Mahua is competent enough to fight her battles on her own. They have been victimising me for four years too, it is their standard practice."

These are the first comments made by Banerjee, who is currently considered number two in TMC, in connection with the Mahua Moitra case.

Banerjee's comments are important as the Trinamool side has been reluctant to comment on the allegations against him.

Mamata Banerjee's party has repeatedly accused the ruling BJP of misusing central authorities and other institutions to target political opponents but has consistently remained silent on commenting on the issue.

Earlier, party spokesperson Kunal Ghosh had told the media that the party "has nothing to say on this issue" and added, “We believe the person around whom this controversy revolves is best placed to respond.”

TMC leader in Rajya Sabha Derek O'Brien said last month that the party leadership would take an appropriate decision on the issue after the parliamentary committee investigating the matter completed its investigation.

He stated, "The lawmaker has been instructed by the party leadership to clarify her stance on the allegations against her. She has already done that. However, as this issue concerns elected members of Parliament, their rights and privileges, the matter will be investigated in the appropriate forum of Parliament, after which the party leadership will take a decision accordingly.''

Yesterday, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, who had complained about Moitra with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, said anti-corruption agency Lokpal had ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into corruption allegations against the Trinamool MP.