New Delhi - The Lok Sabha ethics committee, convening on Thursday to finalize its draft report on the cash-for-query accusation against Mahua Moitra, is reportedly leaning towards recommending her expulsion from the lower House. The 500-page report, circulated among committee members, alleges that Moitra permitted a prominent offshore businessman to use her Parliament login to pose questions, violating parliamentary ethics and jeopardizing national security.

In the 'Cash for Query' case, BJP's Nishikant Dubey disclosed that Lokpal has instructed a CBI inquiry against Mahua Moitra. The committee's decision, prompted by a complaint from Dubey, contends that Moitra targeted the Adani group at the behest of businessman Darshan Hiranandani in exchange for gifts.

If the committee endorses Moitra's disqualification, it is poised to spark a fresh clash between the ruling and opposition parties, likely to extend beyond parliamentary walls. Opposition sources challenge the competence of the ethics committee to recommend an MP's disqualification, citing the absence of a 'Code of Conduct for MPs' and claiming that the committee drafted a "templated" report without completing Moitra's examination.

Accusations of the ruling party's undue influence on the committee, given its numerical advantage, have prompted opposition MPs to consider submitting dissent notes against the committee's recommendations. The 15-member committee, with six opposition MPs, also proposes admonishing BSP MP Danish Ali for disparaging comments against the panel chief Vinod Sonkar and disclosing confidential meeting details publicly.

Moitra, who appeared before the ethics committee on November 2, along with opposition members, walked out, citing concerns about the line of questioning and alleging the imposition of "personal questions" during the session.