Mamata Banerjee Faces Criticism for Missing NITI Aayog Meet

Mamata Banerjee Walks Out of NITI Aayog Meeting Amidst Opposition Criticism

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s recent walkout from the NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting has ignited a political firestorm, drawing sharp criticism from opposition parties and sparking debates on federal relations in India.

The Incident: A Brief Overview

On July 27, 2024, during the 9th Governing Council meeting of NITI Aayog chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mamata Banerjee, the only opposition Chief Minister present, alleged that her microphone was muted while she was speaking. She claimed she was allotted only five minutes to speak, whereas other Chief Ministers were given more time. Feeling insulted, she walked out of the meeting, stating that this was not just an affront to her but to all regional parties .

Opposition’s Reaction

Banerjee’s actions were met with swift criticism from various political quarters:

• Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): The BJP accused Banerjee of staging a political drama to gain sympathy and divert attention from pressing issues in West Bengal. They argued that her walkout was premeditated and aimed at creating a controversy .
• Communist Party of India (Marxist) – CPI(M): CPI(M) leaders questioned Banerjee’s decision to attend the meeting when other opposition Chief Ministers had chosen to boycott it. They suggested that her participation and subsequent walkout were contradictory and politically motivated.
• Congress Party: Congress leaders expressed skepticism about Banerjee’s claims, with some suggesting that her actions were inconsistent and lacked coordination with other opposition parties .

Central Government’s Response

The central government refuted Banerjee’s allegations:

• Press Information Bureau (PIB): The PIB’s fact-checking unit labeled Banerjee’s claim about her microphone being muted as “misleading,” stating that her allotted speaking time had concluded and there was no deliberate attempt to silence her .
• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman: Sitharaman clarified that all Chief Ministers were given equal time to speak, and Banerjee’s time was managed accordingly. She emphasized that if Banerjee had requested more time, it could have been considered .
• Union Minister Chirag Paswan: Paswan dismissed Banerjee’s claims as false and suggested that her walkout was a strategic move to garner attention .

Implications and Analysis

Banerjee’s walkout has broader implications for Indian politics:

• Federal Relations: The incident underscores ongoing tensions between state and central governments, especially concerning issues of representation and resource allocation.
• Opposition Unity: Banerjee’s decision to attend the meeting, despite a collective opposition boycott, followed by her abrupt exit, raises questions about the coherence and strategy of opposition parties in presenting a united front.
• Public Perception: Such high-profile disagreements can influence public opinion, potentially affecting voter sentiment and trust in political institutions.