Mamata Banerjee Sparks Controversy with Economic Projection Doubts

During a visit to the UK, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed skepticism over India's economic growth projections, sparking criticism from BJP leaders. Her remarks were made at Oxford University, leading to accusations of tarnishing India's image. BJP figures called her views an insult to her office.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, while on an official visit to the United Kingdom, has become the center of a political storm. Her skepticism over India's potential to become the world's largest economy by 2060, expressed at a session in Kellogg College, Oxford University, drew sharp criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Banerjee responded to an interviewer by expressing doubts about India's projected economic growth. She mentioned global turmoil and the aftermath of COVID-19 as reasons for her reservations, which she suggested could hinder economic progress.

BJP leaders, including Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar, accused Banerjee of damaging India's image abroad. Majumdar characterized her comments as an 'insult' to her office, while BJP's IT Cell head, Amit Malviya, described her views as shameful in videos shared online.

(With inputs from agencies.)