(Image source from: PTI)

The Lok Sabha has presented the ethics report regarding the cash-for-query allegations involving Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra. This report suggests that Ms. Moitra should be expelled, setting the stage for a confrontational situation between the ruling BJP and the opposition regarding her immediate political future. For Ms. Moitra to be expelled, the House must vote in favor of the committee's report, which declared her actions as "highly objectionable, unethical, heinous, and criminal."

The BJP, however, is said to be well-prepared and has issued a three-line whip (the most stringent kind) to its MPs, indicating that they are expected to be present and vote in alignment with the party's stance. The report was originally scheduled to be presented on Monday, the first day of this parliamentary session, which concludes on December 22.

Once the report is finally presented, the opposition has stated that they will demand a thorough discussion. Danish Ali, a member of the Ethics Committee from the Bahujan Samaj Party, stated to reporters on Thursday, "If the report is presented, we will insist on a comprehensive discussion... the draft was approved in a mere two-and-a-half minutes," referring to the opposition's allegations that the BJP-led committee rushed the report.

Accused of accepting a bribe of 2 crore in cash to pose challenging inquiries regarding the Narendra Modi administration, Ms Moitra firmly refuted the allegations. Additionally, she was accused of relinquishing her parliamentary login details to businessman Darshan Hiranandani, who purportedly provided her with the bribe in order to submit questions directly before Parliament's Question Hour. While Ms Moitra eventually confessed to the latter accusation, she contended that this was a customary practice among Members of Parliament.