Opposition Criticizes Boycott of NITI Aayog Meeting Over 'Discriminatory' Budget

Karnataka's opposition leader, R Ashoka, criticized CM Siddaramaiah for skipping the NITI Aayog meeting, accusing him of prioritizing party politics over state interests. Congress leaders labeled the Union Budget 2024 discriminatory, leading to the boycott by Congress Chief Ministers and its allies.

Karnataka Leader of the Opposition, R Ashoka, on Wednesday criticized Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for boycotting the NITI Aayog meeting scheduled for July 27. Ashoka stated that Siddaramaiah’s decision to prioritize the Congress party’s ‘petty politics’ has disrespected the 6.5 crore Kannadigas.

‘It is a disgrace that CM @siddaramaiah has chosen to boycott the NITI Aayog meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 27. Governance and development should remain above expedient party politics. By boycotting the meeting of the apex public policy think tank of the Government of India, CM Siddaramaiah has insulted the 6.5 crore Kannadigas and the mandate given to @INCKarnataka,’ Ashoka stated in a post on X. He added, ‘CM @siddaramaiah, people of Karnataka expected you to show a little spine and statesmanship and put the interest of the state above your @INCIndia high command’s petty politics. It is unfortunate that a senior leader like CM Siddaramaiah is forced to dance to the tunes of Balak Buddhi @RahulGandhi to continue in his chair, instead of allowing him to discharge his duties as the Chief Minister.’

Meanwhile, Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal, on Tuesday, claimed the Union Budget 2024 was discriminatory, and announced that Congress Chief Ministers would boycott the NITI Aayog meeting on July 27. Tamil Nadu CM and DMK leader MK Stalin, a key Congress ally, also stated he would skip the meeting, denouncing the budget as ‘discriminatory’.

Venugopal posted on X, ‘The Union Budget presented today was extremely discriminatory and dangerous, which completely goes against the principles of federalism and fairness that the Union Government must follow. In protest, INC CMs will be boycotting the NITI Aayog meeting scheduled for July 27.’ The Opposition criticized the budget following Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s announcements of special schemes for Andhra Pradesh and Bihar, states led by BJP allies. Special financial support of Rs 15,000 crore was allocated for Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh’s capital, and Bihar received development projects worth Rs 58,900 crore.

In the Lok Sabha, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi condemned the Union Budget 2024-25, accusing the Finance Minister of making empty promises. On social media platform X, he tweeted, ‘Kursi Bachao Budget. Appease Allies: Hollow promises to them at the cost of other states. Appease Cronies: Benefits to AA with no relief for the common Indian. Copy and Paste: Congress manifesto and previous budgets.’