‘Stop this NITI Aayog’, demands Mamata Banerjee ahead of PM Modi-chaired meet

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair the NITI Aayog's ninth Governing Council meeting on July 27, to discuss the ‘Vikshit Bharat@2047’

Published on: Jul 26, 2024, 17:10:27 IST

By HT News Desk

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West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday demanded the abolition of NITI Aayog, the central government think tank founded under Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in 2015. She demanded that the Planning Commission, the body tasked with formulating Five-Year Plans be brought back.

West Bengal CMr and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee with the party’s National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee at the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport before leaving for Delhi, in Kolkata. (PTI)

“Stop this niti Aayog. It does not do anything other than convene meetings. Bring back the Planning Commission,” Banerjee said in the capital, day before she is set to attend the NITI Aayog meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

When asked why is she attending the NITI Aayog meeting unlike some of her alliance partners who have decided to boycott, Banerjee said,"There is no need to come and I had cancelled my programme because of their budget. But Abhishek and others convinced me and I spoke to Hemant ( Soren) also, who is coming."

ALSO READ: Congress CMs to boycott NITI Aayog meeting due to ‘discriminatory’ Union Budget: KC Venugopal

The problem is coordination. Every state has its priorities, but I believe in federalism. The BJP wants to break up the country. Their leaders are talking of dividing," she said, referring to Union minister Sukanta Majumdar's remark on north Bengal.

ALSO READ: Mamata Banerjee slams Union Budget 2024: ‘Anti-people, anti-poor’

Majumdar had on Wednesday proposed to PM Modi that northern West Bengal, due to its similarities with the Northeast region, be included under the Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region (DoNER) to facilitate more development funds for various projects in the region.

"If the BJP doesn't listen to the verdict of the people, then it is their choice. All opposition-ruled states are deprived. You can give the special package to your friends but can't deprive others," she said.

Mamata Banerjee once again questioned the survival of the NDA government, saying,"I am not sure how long they will last but let them work for the people as long as they are in power."

Tamil Nadu chief minister and DMK leader M K Stalin, Kerala's CM and CPI(M) leader Pinnarayi Vijayan as well as Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab and Delhi governments have also announced to boycott the meeting.

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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