In a significant development, the 9th Governing Council meeting of the NITI Aayog, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, faced a boycott from all opposition parties. The meeting, aimed at discussing cooperative federalism and national priorities, saw the participation of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who later staged a walkout, alleging that she was not allowed to speak and that her microphone was turned off.
Mamata Banerjee's dramatic exit drew sharp reactions, with her stating to reporters, "I was not allowed to speak, and my microphone was turned off. This is a serious allegation, especially as a Chief Minister of a state." However, the government promptly countered her claims, asserting that no such incident occurred.
NITI Aayog: A Brief Overview
The NITI Aayog, established in 2015 after the NDA government abolished the Planning Commission, aims to enhance cooperative federalism and foster state-center cooperation. Chaired by the Prime Minister, the Governing Council includes all state Chief Ministers, Chief Ministers of Union Territories with legislatures, Lieutenant Governors of other Union Territories, ex-officio members, and special invitees appointed by the Prime Minister.
The Governing Council convenes annually to discuss national priorities and strategies, focusing on issues like economic growth, infrastructure development, employment, and poverty alleviation.
Boycott by Opposition Parties
The recent meeting saw boycotts from the Chief Ministers of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, and Bihar, among others. While Bihar was represented by its Deputy Chief Minister, states like Delhi, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Puducherry sent no representatives. Mamata Banerjee, the only opposition leader to attend, left the meeting after five minutes, citing unfair treatment.
Allegations and Counterclaims
Banerjee's allegation of being denied a chance to speak was met with firm denial from the central government. She expressed her frustration, comparing her allotted five minutes with the 20 minutes given to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and the 10-12 minutes for Chief Ministers of Assam, Goa, and Chhattisgarh. She accused the central government of political bias and called for the reinstatement of the Planning Commission.
The central government refuted her claims, stating that Banerjee's speaking time was not cut short and that she was given priority as per her request. Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, a Congress leader from West Bengal, also criticized her actions, calling them scripted and accusing her of fabricating the incident.
Key Takeaways from the Meeting
Despite the controversies, the meeting addressed crucial issues. Prime Minister Modi emphasized a vision for a developed India by 2047, focusing on economic growth, social and economic infrastructure, employment, skill training, investment-friendly environments, poverty alleviation, agricultural development, and capacity building for government officials.
The NITI Aayog was directed to work on these significant issues, underscoring the need for cooperation between the states and the center to achieve national development goals.
Conclusion
The boycott and subsequent allegations have added a layer of complexity to the NITI Aayog's efforts to foster cooperative federalism. As the government and opposition parties navigate these challenges, the focus remains on addressing national priorities and promoting inclusive growth.
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