Sanjay Raut and Mamata Banerjee Speak Out on NITI Aayog Meeting Controversy

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was insulted after she alleged that she was stopped from speaking after five minutes at the NITI Aayog meeting. Raut claimed that only BJP-ruled states are being given money and schemes, which is why some Chief Ministers boycotted the meeting.

Raut added, “Mamata Banerjee attended the meeting but she was not allowed to speak. The West Bengal CM was insulted, her microphone was switched off, this doesn’t suit democracy.”

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin also criticized the BJP-led Central government, emphasizing that cooperative federalism requires dialogue and respect for all voices. He questioned, “Is this the way to treat a Chief Minister? The Union BJP government must understand that opposition parties are an integral part of our democracy and should not be treated as enemies to be silenced.”

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman refuted Mamata Banerjee’s claims, calling them baseless. She stated, “We all heard CM Mamata Banerjee. She spoke her full time. The screen in front of our tables kept showing the time. A few other CMs spoke beyond their allotted time. On their own request, extra time was allowed without any fuss. Mikes were not switched off, not for anybody, particularly not for CM of WB. Mamata ji has chosen to spread falsehood. I was happy she attended.”

After leaving the Niti Aayog meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi midway, Mamata Banerjee accused the Centre of “insulting Bengal” by interrupting her speech after five minutes, claiming it was a deliberate attempt to “malign the opposition.” She said, “In the entire country, the way in which all the opposition-ruled states have been neglected and BJP-ruled states and their alliance members have been favored, we don’t have any objection if any state is given more money but this is not acceptable that someone will get and someone will not get at all.”