CPI's D Raja and Mamata Banerjee Criticize NITI Aayog's Policies at Governing Council Meet

CPI's D Raja questioned NITI Aayog's role and its push for privatization, while Mamata Banerjee accused the central government of discrimination at the 9th NITI Aayog's Governing Council meeting. DMK and Congress leaders criticized the Union Budget and announced boycotts of the meeting.

CPI General Secretary D Raja on Saturday raised significant questions about the role of NITI Aayog, alleging that the advisory body chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is pushing for the privatization of all public sectors. 'The Prime Minister should first clarify why the Planning Commission was disbanded and what NITI Aayog aims to achieve,' Raja told ANI.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, meanwhile, walked out of the meeting, accusing the central government of muting her microphone and limiting her speaking time to five minutes, whereas other chief ministers were granted more time. 'They shouldn't discriminate against state governments. I was allowed to speak for only five minutes while others spoke for 10-20 minutes,' Banerjee told reporters.

In a related development, DMK staged statewide protests against the Union Budget presented on July 23, accusing the central government of neglecting Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin called the budget a 'vengeful act' against states that oppose BJP. The Congress announced that its chief ministers would also skip the NITI Aayog meeting, following Stalin's boycott.

(With inputs from agencies.)