Mamata Banerjee Silenced? Microphone Controversy Sparks Political Outrage

After Mamata Banerjee claimed her microphone was switched off at a NITI Aayog meeting, reactions poured in, including from Harish Rawat. The central government’s fact-checking body refuted the claim, stating her speaking time had simply ended. Banerjee alleged political discrimination and left the meeting in protest.

A political storm has erupted following West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's claim that her microphone was switched off during a NITI Aayog meeting. Former Uttarakhand CM and senior Congress leader Harish Rawat called the incident 'unfortunate.'

'It is very unfortunate that Mamata Banerjee, who is a very senior Chief Minister and the leader of the opposition, was not allowed to speak. We knew this, which is why the Chief Ministers of Congress and the opposition boycotted the meeting of NITI Aayog,' Rawat told ANI. Rawat alleged a 'scripted' plan to isolate opposition leaders while defending Bihar’s Nitish Kumar and Andhra’s N Chandrababu Naidu.

However, the central government’s fact-checking body refuted Banerjee's claims. A Press Information Bureau (PIB) fact check stated that her speaking time had simply ended and she had been accommodated earlier than scheduled.

'Alphabetically, CM, West Bengal turn would have come after lunch. She was accommodated as the 7th speaker on an official request of the West Bengal government as she had to return early,' the PIB stated.

Speaking to reporters, Banerjee alleged 'political discrimination' after being cut short at the meeting. 'I wanted to speak but my mic was muted. I was allowed to speak only for five minutes. People before me spoke for 10-20 minutes,' she said, storming out of the NITI Aayog meeting in protest.

'I have come out boycotting the NITI Aayog meeting,' Banerjee added. She criticized the handling of the meeting and highlighted her intent to promote 'cooperative federalism.'

Banerjee also pointed out that several states, including West Bengal, were marginalized in the Union Budget presented this week, further fueling the controversy.