Mamata to attend Niti Aayog meeting despite initial objection

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and a few others, including Andhra Pradesh’s N Chandrababu Naidu, had expressed unwillingness to attend the Niti Aayog meeting in view of Ramzan festivities, following which it was postponed by a day to June 17.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday confirmed her participation in the Niti Aayog’s rescheduled governing council meeting in New Delhi on June 17.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said though she did not wish to attend the Niti Aayog meeting, but a few chief ministers told her they will participate to place their observations. (PTI/File Photo)

The meeting, which will be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was earlier scheduled on June 16, the day when Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated.

Banerjee and a few other chief ministers, including Andhra Pradesh’s N Chandrababu Naidu, had expressed unwillingness to attend the meeting in view of the Ramzan festivities, following which it was postponed by a day to June 17.

“I was the one who had pointed out that Eid will be celebrated on June 16 when the Niti Aayog meeting was earlier scheduled. I had told that we have to participate in prayers and various programmes on Eid and the meeting was then postponed to June 17,” Banerjee told reporters in Kolkata.

The CM said she would reach New Delhi by Saturday night and return on Monday.

“Though I had no wish to attend the meeting, I will still be there, as a few chief ministers have told me that they will attend the meeting to place their observations,” she said.