Mahua Moitra was ousted from the Parliament on December 8th last year. She has taken her fight against the expulsion over the 'cash-for-query' case to the Supreme Court, and the legal battle continues.
After the nation's highest court, Moitra will now appeal to the people's court, returning to the very electorate that sent her to the Lok Sabha - Mamata Banerjee has once again fielded her from the Krishnanagar seat in the upcoming elections.
In the past, Trinamool Congress leaders seemed to distance themselves from Moitra. Whenever questioned, party spokespeople insisted that only Moitra could provide answers, as Banerjee had been undecided about the political stance to take. Derek O'Brien explained that TMC could only respond after the Ethics Committee's investigation concluded - but ultimately, a good end makes for a good beginning, and Banerjee had to stand by Moitra. It has now become a matter of prestige.
The political face-off against Moitra was initiated by BJP Member of Parliament Nishikant Dubey, and he remained resolute till the end. The mission to expel her from Parliament may be complete, but the BJP's new challenge is to block her return to Parliament.
Just as Mamata Banerjee has deployed Yusuf Pathan, the cricketer, against her arch-rival Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, it is evident that the BJP will be crafting a similar strategy against Moitra. The Pawan Singh episode is a prime example. BJP had posed Pawan Singh, the Bhojpuri singer, against Shatrughan Sinha. But Singh declined to contest, prompting the search for a new formidable contestant - BJP will strive for a moral victory if Moitra is defeated. Whatever the results, their efforts will be just as determined.
However, the challenge that the Trinamool Congress faces at the Krishnanagar Lok Sabha seat isn't just confined to Moitra or Banerjee alone - it is equally pivotal for both, like a trial by fire.
For Mamata Banerjee, Krishnanagar is a West Bengal challenge
Mamata Banerjee has always stood by her leaders. Despite allegations like the Narada and Saradha scams, Banerjee has not only fielded her close associates but also ensured their victory. Partha Chatterjee may be an exception, but Shahjahan Sheikh of Sandeshkhali is a recent example.
The scenario was different in 2019. Now, ensuring Moitra's victory in Krishnanagar is a new, significant challenge for Banerjee. Failure could be perceived as a political setback for her.
In a meeting with Trinamool Congress workers preparing for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Banerjee claimed that Moitra would win the next election with a larger margin. Later, she reiterated, 'The people will give BJP a fitting reply... We will fight politically... There will be a crushing defeat for them in the next elections... Moitra will emerge stronger.'
Moitra, who reached the Lok Sabha on a Trinamool Congress ticket from West Bengal’s Krishnanagar, is accused of sharing the parliamentary login credentials with an outsider. Investigations revealed that her login was used 61 times between 2019-2023 to ask questions of particular interest to businessman Darshan Hiranandani.
No one doubts that Banerjee will stand with Moitra, just as she did in defense of the police commissioner. The real challenge is not BJP but convincing her voters that Moitra is correct, and that a conspiracy has been plotted against her by BJP.
Moitra seeks justice in the court of the people
Moitra faces the challenge of convincing the public of her side of the story. It is one thing to present your case in Parliament and another to justify your position to the electorate. The Parliament has only ended her membership; the public could banish her from politics altogether.
Moitra will have to assure voters that sharing the parliamentary login details was not a grave error and it posed no threat to national security.
After her expulsion, Moitra declared, 'There is no evidence of any cash or gifts... The expulsion is based solely on the fact that I shared my Lok Sabha portal login. There are no rules regarding sharing login details.'
It was easy for Moitra to make this claim to the media, but explaining it to the people of Krishnanagar might prove significantly more difficult. Accusing BJP of misusing the Ethics Committee, Moitra warned, 'You have abused the process... it is the beginning of your end... We will return to see your downfall.'
Now, Moitra seeks vindication in the people's court. This might be her last chance. In this trial by the people, it will become clear who is in the right. If Moitra wins the election and returns to the Parliament, she will silence all critics.
