West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has come under fire from the BJP and Congress for skipping the 10th Governing Council meeting of NITI Aayog, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. Opposition leaders accused Banerjee of prioritizing political interests over state development, while the Trinamool Congress (TMC) defended her absence, citing past grievances.
BJP and Congress Slam Banerjee’s Decision
BJP Rajya Sabha MP Samik Bhattacharya criticized Banerjee’s absence, stating that West Bengal missed an opportunity to address key economic challenges. He highlighted the state’s financial vulnerability, rising unemployment, and migrant worker issues, arguing that collaboration with the Centre could have helped overcome these hurdles.
Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury echoed similar concerns, stating that Banerjee could have raised issues such as non-disbursement of central funds, which are crucial for West Bengal’s development.
TMC Defends Banerjee’s Absence
In response, TMC state vice president Jay Prakash Majumdar defended Banerjee’s decision, recalling that her microphone was allegedly muted during last year’s NITI Aayog meeting, preventing her from speaking for more than five minutes. He argued that attending the meeting again would have led to further humiliation.
Political Fallout and Future Implications
Banerjee’s absence has intensified political tensions in West Bengal, with BJP leaders accusing her of boycotting crucial discussions that could benefit the state. Meanwhile, the TMC maintains that the Centre has repeatedly sidelined West Bengal’s concerns, leading to strained relations between the state and the Union government.
