Trinamool Lok Sabha MP Mahua Moitra clarified in an interview with India Today that she shared her Parliament login and password with Darshan Hiranandani, highlighting that there are no specific rules governing who can have access to these credentials and that most MPs delegate question submissions to their teams. She explained that while she shares the login information, the critical OTP required for question submissions goes only to her phone.
Moitra firmly dismissed allegations made against her by advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai and BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, stating, "They have picked the wrong person to bully. I have given up everything in my life to sit here, and some little ‘Jharkhandi pitbull’ and some acrimonious ex-personal relationship will not be the end of me. I will continue to fight this, and you will see what happens in 2024."
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Addressing concerns about the location from which she and others logged into the NIC system, Moitra argued that the NIC login lacks strict regulations regarding who can use it. She cited her own example of logging in from Switzerland and mentioned her sister's child accessing it from Cambridge to assist with question submissions.
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Moitra challenged the notion that it compromises security, asking why IP addresses are not blocked if the NIC's question-and-answer portal is considered highly secure. She also pointed out that Darshan Hiranandani, whom she entrusted with some question submissions, doesn't need her to ask questions as they are all RTI-able.
Moitra clarified, "I told Darshan to give some assistants from his office to put in the questions. The charge that somebody can put in a question is ludicrous because the OTP comes to my mobile number. Every question is written by me, and I am one of those who does their work. That's why there are only 61 questions."
Regarding allegations of receiving cash and gifts from Darshan Hiranandani, Moitra demanded evidence to support these claims, stating, "There is no proof that they offered me money and I was a banker in 2008 when I entered grassroots politics and used to earn multiple times of ₹2 crore at that time. Charges that I would take ₹2 crore unproven cash is a ludicrous one.”
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Moitra highlighted her close personal friendship with Darshan Hiranandani and his family's real estate business, clarifying that she sought their assistance to redesign her government bungalow. She exhibited designs provided by Hiranandani to improve the bungalow's lighting conditions, highlighting that no private entity was involved in the process.
Regarding gifts received from Hiranandani, Moitra mentioned only receiving a scarf and some makeup items. She clarified that when she visits Mumbai, his car provides transportation but denied staying with him.
In response to the interview, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey expressed strong disapproval of being referred to as a "Jharkhandi pitbull" by Mahua Moitra, deeming it an insult to Jharkhand and Bihar.