Opinion | Look Beyond the Stilettos and Gucci Bag. Allegations Against Mahua Moitra Cast a Shadow Over The Holiest Pact In A Democracy

It is a profound travesty that the Mahua Moitra story is thus far exciting interest for all the wrong reasons. But then who can blame the public. Who can resist the thrall of the oh-so-silky entreaties of a Hermes scarf, the unknown possibilities that lurk within the velvety confines of a Gucci bag or the uppity clippety-clop of Ferragamo heels? The story has it all: a pugnacious and lively female MP, an “embittered ex”; the hint of corporate intrigue and the sordidness of political vendetta. It is as a friend joked – “pure Masala”.

But while the public is allowed its trivial pursuits, it is necessary that the more public minded cut to the more substantive aspects at the heart of the matter.

For the alleged “cash for queries” scandal hits at the core of a compact between voters and their representatives. Remember, Members of Parliament (MPs) serve at the behest of the people. They speak for the people and are voted into office or ejected from it by the people. In this way a Lok Sabha MP is essentially the custodian of public trust.

The people trust that their MP will speak up for them, draw Parliament’s attention to their problems or needs so that suitable interventions can be made to address them.

But what if a Parliamentarian begins to violate the terms of the contract? What if the MP were to stop speaking for the public and instead were to speak for a fee for a coterie of friends looking to advance their interests?

Wouldn’t this breach of faith undermine the most sacrosanct relationship in a democracy? Wouldn’t it push a parliamentary democracy towards dysfunction?

Given the significance of the above questions it is a matter of grave concern that Trinamool Congress party MP Mahua Moitra stands accused of breaching the people’s trust. The charge has been made by a prominent businessman called Darshan Hiranandani and in the words of Moitra an advocate and “jilted ex” Jai Anant Dehadrai.

Moitra rejects the allegations out of hand. The matter is now before the Ethics Committee of Parliament.

One hopes the cash, scarves, heels, wine, and cigars gifted to Moitra were to merely honor a close friendship. One hopes and prays that Moitra is innocent. But if these gifts were “bribes” then we need to be worried. Very worried.