Mahua Moitra: Political Journey, Controversies, and Personal Life
Mahua Moitra, born on October 12, 1974, in the Cachar district of Assam, is an Indian politician and former investment banker. A prominent figure in the Indian political landscape, she represents the Trinamool Congress (TMC) party. Moitra initially gained national recognition with her candid speech in the Indian Parliament where she pointed out the early signs of fascism in India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s government. She won the 2019 general election from Krishnanagar and served as a Member of Parliament (MP) until her expulsion in December 2023 over allegations of corruption. However, she made a comeback in the 2024 general election.
Early Life and Education
Mahua Moitra hails from a Bengali Hindu Brahmin family. She was born to Dwipendra Lal Moitra in Labac, Assam. She completed her schooling at Kolkata‘s Gokhale Memorial Girls’ School before heading to the United States. Moitra graduated with a degree in economics and mathematics from Mount Holyoke College in 1998. She then worked as an investment banker for JPMorgan Chase in New York and London.
Transition to Politics
Mahua Moitra made a significant career change in 2009 when she quit her role as a vice-president at JPMorgan Chase in London to pursue a career in politics. She joined the Indian Youth Congress, where she worked under Rahul Gandhi‘s initiative “Aam Admi Ka Sipahi.” In 2010, she switched to the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC), marking the beginning of her political career. Moitra became an MLA from Karimpur in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections of 2016, and later went on to serve as the general secretary and national spokesperson for TMC.
In 2019, Moitra successfully contested the Lok Sabha elections from Krishnanagar, West Bengal, and became a member of the 17th Lok Sabha. She was also appointed as TMC’s Goa in-charge in 2021 in preparation for the Goa Legislative Assembly elections.
Key Political Issues
Mahua Moitra has always been an outspoken critic of the Modi government’s policies. She made headlines in 2019 for pointing out what she called “seven early signs of fascism” in India. She was also vocal in criticizing the judiciary in Parliament, particularly regarding the actions of former Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, which sparked controversy and led to her statements being expunged from the parliamentary record.
Moitra has also been highly critical of business tycoon Gautam Adani and his alleged ties to the Modi government. She raised concerns about the Adani Group’s financial dealings, even before a global report brought the issue to light. Her calls for an inquiry into the matter led to tensions within the political arena.
Cash-for-Query Scandal and Expulsion
In October 2023, allegations surfaced that Moitra had received money from businessman Darshan Hiranandani in exchange for asking questions in Parliament targeting the Adani Group. An ethics complaint was filed against her, and Hiranandani later turned approver. Moitra, however, denied any wrongdoing and welcomed an inquiry. She admitted to sharing her NIC portal login details with Hiranandani, a practice she claimed was common among MPs, but denied receiving money for questions.
The parliamentary ethics committee recommended her expulsion in November 2023, and on December 8, Moitra was expelled from the Lok Sabha. She has since challenged her expulsion in the Supreme Court. A raid was conducted at her residence by the CBI in March 2024, during her campaign for the 2024 elections.
Lawsuits and Controversies
Mahua Moitra has found herself embroiled in multiple legal disputes. In 2017, she filed a police complaint against BJP MP Babul Supriyo for allegedly insulting her modesty. She later filed defamation suits against Zee Media, which were ultimately resolved in her favor. Moitra also found herself in the center of a storm in 2022 after making controversial remarks about Goddess Kali at the India Today Conclave East, which sparked police complaints and calls for her apology.
Personal Life
Mahua Moitra was previously married to Danish financier Lars Brorson, with whom she later divorced. She was also in a relationship with advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai for several years. Moitra’s personal and political life has remained a subject of public interest due to her candid nature and bold stance on various issues.
Mahua Moitra’s journey has been marked by controversies, bold speeches, and unwavering political activism. Despite facing personal and political challenges, she continues to be a significant figure in Indian politics, particularly for her vocal opposition to government policies and her support for accountability in the public domain.