'Cash for Query': In 6:4 Verdict, Cong's Preneet Kaur Votes in Favour of Moitra's Expulsion from LS

Congress MP Preneet Kaur, a member of the Ethics Committee, which was hearing the “cash for query” matter,  on Thursday voted in favour of Trimanool Congress Mahua Moitra’s expulsion from the Lok Sabha.

The Ethics Committee today adopted a report on the case after two hearings. The report will now be sent to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.

Kaur, who was suspended by the Congress over allegations that she was helping the BJP in Punjab this year, spoke to CNN-News 18 and said, “I voted in favour of the resolution.”

Kaur’s vote was crucial as six members voted in favour and four members were against the resolution today. While she was suspended for anti-party activities, her husband and former Punjab CM Amarinder Singh and daughter Jai Inder Kaur joined the BJP last year.

The Lok Sabha ethics committee has recommended the expulsion of  Mahua Moitra as MP in the ‘cash for query’ allegations it was probing against her.

BJP Praises Preneet Kaur

Ethics Committee chairman and BJP MP Vinod Sonkar told CNN-News 18, “Report is adopted. Some members tried to save her but the majority was in favour of adopting the report. Now the report is being sent to Lok Sabha Speaker.”

On Preneet Kaur, Sonkar said, “Those who are with us for truth, I welcome them. This is a good sign to save Parliament’s dignity. This is a welcome step from her.”

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey also said Preneet Kaur did not make any compromise for national security. “Punjab has always stood for India’s identity and national security. Today again Captain Amarinder Singh ji and Congress Party MP Preneet Kaur ji did not make any compromise for national security. India was, is and will always be grateful to the brave men of Punjab,” he wrote on X.

Opposition MPs have submitted a dissent note on the Lok Sabha ethics committee draft report. According to sources, opposition MPs have pointed out that Dubai-based businessman Darshan Hiranandani should have been summoned by the parliamentary panel to ensure a free and fair inquiry in all respects.