Mamata Banerjee Stages Walkout at NITI Aayog Meeting

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee left the NITI Aayog meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming she was unfairly stopped midway through her speech. The government refuted her claims, stating her speaking time had lapsed. Banerjee criticized the BJP-led Centre's biased treatment toward states.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee staged a dramatic walkout from a NITI Aayog meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, alleging she was unfairly cut off during her speech. Banerjee, the only representative from the opposition, claimed her microphone was switched off after five minutes, unlike other chief ministers who were allotted more time.

The government dismissed these allegations, stating that Banerjee's speaking time had expired. 'This is insulting. I will not attend any further meetings,' the Trinamool Congress leader stated. She highlighted that other chief ministers, including Andhra Pradesh's Chandrababu Naidu, were given up to 20 minutes to speak.

Banerjee expressed frustration over what she saw as political bias in the Union Budget and the treatment of opposition-ruled states. She also called for the reinstatement of financial powers to the NITI Aayog or the return of the Planning Commission. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin echoed her sentiments, criticizing the BJP government for sidelining opposition voices in the federal structure.

(With inputs from agencies.)