Mahua Moitra photo.
Credit: PTI File Photo
Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra has told media outlets that she had given her Parliament log-in credentials to businessman Darshan Hiranandani to enable one of his employees to type in questions but denied taking cash for posing questions in Lok Sabha to favour her "friend".
She said one of Darshan's employees typed the question and it was uploaded on Parliament website after she received an OTP. Mahua said she would read all the questions uploaded before finally submitting it.
"So, the idea that Darshan would log in to my ID and put in questions of his own is ludicrous," Mahua, who is facing Lok Sabha Ethics Committee probe in cash-for-query allegations, was quoted by India Today TV as saying. She also claimed that the cash-for-query allegations have fallen flat and that is why it is now being projected as a national security issue.
Mahua said the NIC has no rules as to who can have one's login and it is being alleged that she has given the login to a foreign entity. She said Darshan is a friend and holds an Indian passport. "I myself have logged in from Switzerland. If the NIC question and answer is so protected, why don't you put restrictions on IP addresses entering it?" she said.
She also denied allegations of receiving cash from Darshan for posing questions. Indian Express quoted her as saying that Darshan's affidavit did not mention any cash transactions.
She, however, said Darshan has gifted her one Hermes scarf on her birthday. She said whenever she was in Dubai or Mumbai, Darshan's car used to pick her up from the airport and drop her. "There is no cash or anything else I have taken from him. I thrive upon my integrity," she said.