Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE: 'No evidence against me, will come back to Lok Sabha' says TMC MP Mahua Moitra

16:13 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

'Weaponization of Parliamentary Committee': Mahua Moitra on expulsion

"This Lok Sabha has also seen the weaponization of a Parliamentary Committee. Ironically, the ethics committee was set up to serve as a moral compass for members. Instead, it has been abused egregiously today to do exactly what it was never meant to do. Which is to bulldoze the opposition and become another weapon to 'Thok Do' us into submission,” Mahua Moitra said after her expulsion as TMC MP.

“The findings are based solely on the written testimonies of two private citizens whose versions contradict each other in material terms none of whom I was allowed to cross-examine. One of the two private citizens is my estranged partner who with malified intention masqueraded as a common citizen in front of the committee. The two testimonies have been used to hang me, they are polar opposites to each other," she added.

16:03 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP slams Mahua Moitra expulsion

On the expulsion of Mahua Moitra as TMC MP, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said, " Decision was taken based on the statement of the person who levelled the allegation. It is against the natural course of justice."

15:49 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

‘No evidence against me, will come back to Lok Sabha’: Moitra

Expelled TMC MP Mahua Moitra gave a statement outside Parliament after being denied the right to speak.

She said that there is no proof of any cash or gifts anywhere and that expulsion was only on the grounds that she had shared her login.

She also added that there are no regulations which restrict login sharing.

She also said that it was clear how far the government is willing to go to silence a female MP.

She also stated that the Ethics Committee had no authority to expel her.

15:39 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Rajya Sabha considers Constitution Amendment Bill, 2022- Amendment of articles 154 and substitution of articles 155, 156

Following the presentation of more than 70 Private Member's Bills, the Rajya Sabha moveed on to the Constitution Amendment Bill, 2022, which amended Article 154 and substitutes Articles 155 and 156.

While moving the motion to consider this Bill, the Chair allowed CPI(M) V. Sivadasan to resume his statement.

The articles requested to be modified concern the Governor's power, including powers and length of office. 

15:37 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Found guilty of breaching code of ethics that does not exist, says TMC MP Mahua Moitra

Ethics panel punishing me for practice that is routine, accepted and encouraged in Lok Sabha, said TMC MP Mahua Moitra after her expulsion from Lok Sabha.

She also added that she has been found guilty of breaching code of ethics that does not exist.

15:35 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

BJP MP Biplab Kumar Deb introduces a bill to make teaching of Lifestyle for Environment (LiFe) compulsory in schools

In the Rajya Sabha, BJP MP Biplab Kumar Deb proposes the Compulsory Teaching of Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) in Schools Bill, 2023.

The stated goal is to educate this subject in order to "enable students towards becoming Pro-Planet People in the 21st century".

15:33 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

JD(U) MP Ram Nath Thakur introduces a bill to prohibit crimes in the name of honour

In the Rajya Sabha, JD(U) MP Ramnath Thakur introduced the Freedom of Marriage and Association and Prohibition of Crimes Bill, 2023.

The Bill proposes to outlaw crimes done in the name of honour, as well as "assemblies and other conduct interfering with the freedom of marriage and association and to provide justice, compensation and rehabilitation in crimes committed in the name of honour."

 The goal is to defend individual liberty while preventing victimisation.

15:24 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

BJD MP Sujeet Kumar introduced bills to amend antiquities act and Indian Penal Code, 1860

Sujeet Kumar of the BJD submits two measures in Rajya Sabha, one to alter the Antiquities and Art Treasures Act of 1972 and the other to amend the Indian Penal Code of 1860.

15:16 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Opposition stages walkout as Lok Sabha clears Ethics panel's report; Lok Sabha adjourned till Monday

The opposition staged a walkout as the Lok Sabha approved the findings of the Ethics Commission.

The Lok Sabha has been postponed until Monday at 11 a.m. by Speaker Om Birla.

15:14 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Lok Sabha expels Mahua Moitra

The opposition explodes in turmoil as Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla asks for a vote on the findings of the Ethics Committee on Mahua Moitra.

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi proposed expelling Moitra after the committee found her guilty of sharing her credentials with others and accepting gifts in exchange for favours from a businessman.

15:13 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Voice vote in favour of motion supporting expulsion of Mahua Moitra

In Lok Sabha, there was a voice vote in favour of the resolution supporting Mahua Moitra's expulsion.

15:00 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

'Fair trial will only happen when affected is heard': TMC's Kalyan Banerjee

TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee said, “The fair trial would be there only when an affected is being heard. If an affected person is not heard, there cannot be any fair trial…”

#WATCH | Ethics Committee report on TMC MP Mahua Moitra | TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee says, "The fair trial would be there only when an affected is being heard. If an affected person is not heard, there cannot be any fair trial...Today, we are deciding the right of a person. When we… pic.twitter.com/sA8TeO4EPg— ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2023

14:53 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

'Constitutional violation is being made', says TMC's Kalyan Banerjee

As Trinamool Congress leaders urged that Mahua Moitra be permitted to speak in the House, TMC leader Kalyan Banerjee stated, "Mahua Moitra is not being allowed to speak; a constitutional violation is being made."

14:44 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

TMC member Kalyan Banerjee requests Speaker Om Birla to allow Mahua Moitra to address the House

TMC member Kalyan Banerjee requested that Speaker Om Birla allow Mahua Moitra to address the House.

However the request was refuted by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi, stating that the precedent set by former Speaker Somnath Chatterjee states that members who have been given time to present their arguments to the Ethics Committee are not allowed to speak during the same House debate.

#WATCH | Ethics Committee report on TMC MP Mahua Moitra | As the Lok Sabha discusses the report, TMC MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay requests that Mahua Moitra be allowed to present her side before the House.

He says, "...What I propose - my party's spokesperson will be Mahua Moitra… pic.twitter.com/ZYiP2AElCr— ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2023

14:42 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

BJP MP Hina Gavit on Mahua Moitra issue

According to BJP MP Hina Gavit, under the UPA government in 2005, a report was presented and ten Lok Sabha members were dismissed on the same day.

14:40 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

The Ethics Committee, at best, can make a recommendation that whether a person is guilty or innocent, states Congress MP Manish Tewari

#WATCH | Ethics Committee report on TMC MP Mahua Moitra | Congress MP Manish Tewari says, "I have carefully read Rule 316(d) of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business. It says that the recommendations of the Committee shall be presented in the form of a report...Ethics… pic.twitter.com/6hQxMe5YxB— ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2023

14:36 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

'We are convening as jury': Congress' Manish Tewari

On Friday, Congress MP Manish Tewari criticised the party for sending a three-line whip to all of its MPs, saying that "we are convening not merely as parliamentarians, but as a jury."

This declaration comes after the Ethics Committee presented its findings, which recommended the expulsion of TMC MP Mahua Moitra in connection with the "cash-for-query" charges.

14:34 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Manish Tewari challenges 3-line Whip issued by political parties

Manish Tewari questioned the three-line whip provided by political parties in his Lok Sabha address.

14:33 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

This is Parliament, not court: Speaker Om Birla to Manish Tewari

During the debate, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla reminded Manish Tewari that he is speaking in Parliament, not a court of law.

14:31 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

'Fundamental flaw in recommendation of Ethics panel's report': Manish Tewari

In his submission during the discussion on the ethics panel report on TMC MP Mahua Moitra, Congress leader Manish Tewari stated that Mahua Moitra was not given adequate opportunity to testify before the panel members.

He also stated that there is a "fundamental flaw" in the Ethics panel's suggestion.

14:30 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Moitra should be given opportunity to express views, says Congress' Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury

During a debate on the ethics panel findings on TMC MP Mahua Moitra, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury stated, "TMC MP Mahua Moitra should be given the opportunity to express her views on the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee report."

14:06 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury asks for at least 48 hours before discussion citing length of document

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, the Congress leader in the Lok Sabha, has asked Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to provide MPs enough time to dive into the contents of the Ethics Committee Report on TMC MP Mahua Moitra.

In a formal proposal, he requested a schedule of 3 to 4 days to allow Members to conduct full research before engaging in meaningful discussion.

The report is 104 pages lengthy and includes various annexures and appendices.

13:47 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Ethics Committee report recommends the expulsion of Mahua Moitra

According to the Ethics Committee findings, TMC MP Mahua Moitra should be expelled from the Lok Sabha and the Government of India should conduct an inquiry in a timely way.

According to the study, Mahua Moitra's extreme misbehaviour warrants harsh punishment. As a result, the Committee recommends that Mahua Moitra, MP be expelled from the Seventeenth Lok Sabha.

The report further adds that, in light of Mahua Moitra's extremely unpleasant, unethical, heinous, and illegal conduct, the Committee recommends that the Government of India launch an intensive, legal, institutional probe in a timely way.

13:34 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi to move motion for adoption of Ethics panel report, says sources

According to reports, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi is set to bring a resolution in Lok Sabha to endorse the Ethics panel's report on Mahua Moitra.

The Speaker will thereafter be expected to announce the start of deliberations on the report.

Two members of the Treasury benches are slated to speak during the debate, while four members of the Opposition benches are expected to speak.

Following the discussion, the motion will be voted on.

13:31 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

No proper procedure followed, no attempt to cross-examine those who made accusations: Shashi Tharoor on Ethics panel report

After the Ethics Committee report on TMC MP Mahua Moitra was tabled in Lok Sabha, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor raised severe qualms about the procedure, calling it "incredibly inadequate."

He emphasised the claimed rapidity with which the report was accepted, alleging that it took only two and a half minutes, according to information from one of the committee members.

#WATCH | On Ethics Committee report on TMC MP Mahua Moitra tabled in Lok Sabha, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor says, "Incredibly inadequate reported. It seems to have been adopted in two and a half minutes, according to one of the members. There has been no proper procedure followed,… pic.twitter.com/0qWVmoEvE9— ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2023

13:22 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

TMC MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay terms Ethics panel recommendation to expel Mahua Moitra as political vendetta

TMC MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay called the Ethics panel's proposal to oust party MP Mahua Moitra over a "cash-for-query" accusation "political vendetta" on Friday.

Bandyopadhyay also questioned the report's beginning on Friday, which is devoted to Private Members' Business.

13:08 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Discussion on Ethics panel report likely to start at 2 pm in LS, say sources

According to reports, the discussion on the Ethics panel report would likely begin around 2 p.m. in the Lok Sabha.

A half-hour debate is permitted in the Lok Sabha, according to the rules. Following that, a motion will be made to adopt the report.

13:06 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

NK Premachandran writes to Lok Sabha Speaker demanding discussion on Ethics Panel's report

Lok Sabha MP NK Premachandran has written to the Lok Sabha Speaker, claiming that it is unjust for the report to be distributed right now and the resolution to be moved and carried.

He believes there should be a full-fledged debate on the report, which was just recently distributed to members.

13:04 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2 p.m.

The Upper House has been called to break for lunch. The proceeding will resume at 2 p.m.

12:58 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Has it actually been fairly conducted? We don't know, says TMC MP Nussrat Jahan on Ethics Committee report on Mahua Moitra

#WATCH | On Ethics Committee report on TMC MP Mahua Moitra tabled in Lok Sabha, TMC MP Nussrat Jahan says, "It is not about how I see it, I think all of us are seeing it the way it is supposed to be seen...Has it actually been fairly conducted? We don't know. Because this… pic.twitter.com/u7DNd6ycES— ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2023

12:53 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Our Parliament Members are fighting there, says Congress MP KC Venugopal

#WATCH | On Ethics Committee report on TMC MP Mahua Moitra tabled in Lok Sabha, Congress MP KC Venugopal says, "Our Parliament Members are fighting there." pic.twitter.com/K9ECkTzBcC— ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2023

12:43 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Whatever has to happen, will happen after 2 pm, says TMC MP Mahua Moitra

#WATCH | TMC MP Mahua Moitra leaves from Parliament after the Ethics Committee report on her was tabled in Lok Sabha.

She says, "We haven't received it yet. Let me have my lunch and come back. Whatever has to happen, will happen after 2 pm..." pic.twitter.com/wACqT92PGr— ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2023

12:28 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Ethics panel recommends expulsion of TMC MP Mahua Moitra

In its findings, the ethics panel recommended that TMC MP Mahua Moitra be expelled.

12:14 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Lok Sabha adjourned till 2pm due to ruckus

The Lok Sabha was postponed until 2 p.m. following a commotion in the House following the presentation of the Ethics Committee report on TMC MP Mahua Moitra.

12:13 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Ethics Committee report on Mahua Moitra has been tabled in the Lok Sabha

Amid protests from the Opposition members, the House has been adjourned until 2 p.m.

It hasn’t yet taken up any resolution to expel her. BJP MP Rajendra Agrawal, who was in the Chair, said it has only been tabled now and the House will take a decision on it. 

12:03 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Lok Sabha proceedings resume

The session's chairman, Rajendra Agrawal, declines to accept member notifications. Protesters from the opposition don't stop.

11:57 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

There should be no politics over this, says BJP MP Locket Chatterjee

#WATCH | On TMC MP Mahua Moitra, BJP MP Locket Chatterjee says, "...When it comes to national security, it is not about a party. There should be no politics over this...Action should be taken against someone who put questions over national security. Otherwise, Members of… pic.twitter.com/YgxGk5b4lA— ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2023

11:50 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Misadventure on the part of the Government, says Congress MP Karti Chidambaram

#WATCH | On Ethics Panel report on TMC MP Mahua Moitra to be tabled in Lok Sabha today, Congress MP Karti Chidambaram says, "This is a misadventure on the part of the Government. If they indulge in this misadventure, all I can say is that they are going to add 50,000 extra votes… pic.twitter.com/062iItqdS9— ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2023

11:48 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

‘Mahabharat ka rann’: Mahua Moitra ahead of ethics panel report in Lok Sabha

Maa Durga aa gayi hai, ab dekhenge, says TMC MP Mahua Moitra.

#WATCH | TMC MP Mahua Moitra says, "Maa Durga aa gayi hai, ab dekhenge...Jab naash manuj par chhata hai, pehle vivek mar jaata hai. They have started 'vastraharan' and now you will watch 'Mahabharat ka rann'."

Ethics Panel report on her to be tabled in Lok Sabha today. pic.twitter.com/r28o2ABVbB— ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2023

11:34 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Lok Sabha adjourned till 12 noon amid uproar over listing of ethics panel report on Mahua Moitra

Due to a ruckus caused by opposition MPs about the publication of the ethics panel report on Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, the Lok Sabha was postponed till 12 noon.

Speaker Om Birla opened the Question Hour by bringing up the report that suggested Ms. Moitra be removed in a "cash-for-query" instance, according to Congress Leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury.

Speaker Birla stated that the issue has been listed and that when the subject is brought up, he will allow the MPs to speak. "The matter has not been taken up yet... Question Hour is your time, you can ask questions," he said.

11:20 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

All India Judicial Services important, but no consensus yet on implementation: Law Minister

"All India Judicial Services" is crucial to bolstering the nation's justice delivery system, according to Minister of Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal, although there is still disagreement on how to put it into practice.

11:16 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Ethics Committee’s report on Mahua Moitra to be tabled in Lok Sabha today

A report from the Ethics Committee, which suggested TMC MP Mahua Moitra's expulsion in a "cash-for-query" case, is scheduled to be tabled in the Lok Sabha today. The report was not tabled despite being previously scheduled for the lower house's December 4 agenda.

The report of the Ethics Committee is agenda item number seven on the amended schedule of business for Friday that the Lok Sabha secretariat released. Before a decision is made about Moitra, a number of opposition members have urged that the recommendations be discussed.

11:12 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Proceedings resume in both Houses, Lok Sabha adjourned within minutes

Following a ruckus by the Opposition, the Speaker adjourned the House until 12 noon on Friday morning, just after the Lower House's operations begun.

Meanwhile, members of the Rajya Sabha started the day's scheduled business by putting papers on the House table

11:08 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Mahua Moitra report to be tabled in Lok Sabha: Is TMC MP’s expulsion imminent?

It could be yet another stormy session in Parliament. The Lok Sabha Ethics Committee is expected to submit a report on the cash-for-query allegations against Trinamool MP Mahua Moitra on Friday.

The report was earlier listed on the agenda of Lok Sabha for 4 December but was not tabled. The revised list of business for Friday during the ongoing winter session issued by the Lok Sabha secretariat has listed the Ethics Committee report as agenda item Number 7.

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11:05 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha proceedings begin

Proceedings begin in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha

11:01 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha to discuss 8 ex-Navy men on death row in Qatar

Manish Tewari, a Congress MP, has submitted an Adjournment Motion notice in the Lok Sabha, calling for a debate on the execution of eight former Indian Navy soldiers that took place in Qatar.

10:29 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Post Office Bill to be taken for consideration and passage

In the legislative business agenda, the Union Communication Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will move the Post Office Bill, 2023 for consideration and passage in the Lower House.

The Bill has already been passed in Rajya Sabha.

"Ashwini Vaishnawto move the Bill to consolidate and amend the law relating to Post Office in India and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto, as passed by Rajya Sabha, be taken into consideration," the agenda read.

10:27 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Seat sharing to be top agenda in upcoming INDIA bloc meet

According to insiders, the future meeting of the INDIA bloc, which is expected to take place between December 17 and 20, would prioritise working on seat sharing deals. 

The conference is scheduled to take place in the third week of December, although the exact date has not yet been confirmed, according to insiders. 

A number of INDIA bloc constituents have been putting more and more pressure on decision-makers to decide quickly on seat sharing in various states so that candidates have enough time to campaign and assess conditions on the ground.  

The Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's home hosted a meeting of the floor leaders of the INDIA parties on Wednesday, with the main topic of discussion being the parliamentary strategy for both Houses.  

10:21 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Govt's action taken report on Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) to be presented in Parliament 

A copy of the twentieth report on the government's response to the suggestions and observations made in the seventeenth report of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Housing and Urban Affairs (2022-23) on "Evaluation of Implementation of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban)" will be placed on the table today by Congress MP Jebi Mather Hisam and MP Ram Chander Jangra (in both Hindi and English), according to ANI.

10:20 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

MPs to present reports on Transport, Tourism, and Culture in Rajya Sabha today

According to ANI, BJP MP Zara Keshri Devi Singh and Congress MP Rajani Ashokrao Patil will present the 366th, 361st, 362nd, and 363rd reports (in both Hindi and English) of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism, and Culture in the Rajya Sabha today.