Mamata Banerjee Claims Humiliation at NITI Aayog Meeting, Protests Against Center's Discrimination

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee walked out of the NITI Aayog meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming she was humiliated and not allowed to speak. Banerjee protested against the discrimination faced by West Bengal in terms of fund allocation and raised concerns about water issues affecting the state.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday claimed she faced humiliation at the NITI Aayog meeting in New Delhi when she was not allowed to speak.

Banerjee expressed no objection to other states receiving funds, but protested against West Bengal's discrimination.

"I was not allowed to speak. They were ringing the bell repeatedly. This is humiliation," she told reporters at Kolkata airport after returning from New Delhi.

On the same day, Banerjee, who also leads the Trinamool Congress, exited the NITI Aayog meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In her brief speech, Banerjee proposed the formation of an Indo-Bhutan River Commission to address flooding in northern West Bengal from Bhutan's waters. She also clarified misinterpretations about her comments on Teesta water sharing with Bangladesh.

"If we lose water from the Teesta River, people in north Bengal will face a drinking water crisis," Banerjee said.

She alleged insufficient speaking time at the meeting, in contrast to the longer durations allocated to other chief ministers like Andhra Pradesh's Chandrababu Naidu.

Claiming the bell rang during her speech, Banerjee said, "Rajnath Singh presided over the meeting while the PM and Home Minister were present. Clearly, they instructed him."

"Among the opposition, I was the only one present today because we believe in protecting cooperative federalism. States' share of funds taken by the Centre should be returned for developmental activities," she added.

Before Banerjee spoke, Naidu, Assam, Arunachal, Chhattisgarh, and Goa CMs were given 15-20 minutes each. However, Banerjee claimed being asked to stop shortly after beginning her speech. "I said okay, I will stop and left, as they didn't want to listen about Bengal's deprivation," she stated.

Banerjee noted that most INDIA bloc chief ministers boycotted the meeting, but she attended to voice concerns for all.

"I spoke about Bengal's deprivation and the partial treatment of opposition-ruled states in the budget, while BJP-ruled states received more. We have no issue with certain states getting more funds, but it should not come at the cost of others being neglected. It's unacceptable to let some feast while others starve," she remarked.

She emphasized that development efforts shouldn't be politically driven but aimed at welfare for all.

''During elections, they promised three crore houses, which was a lie. The PM claimed four crore houses were built, counting those since Independence," Banerjee said.

Banerjee also criticized the Center for using its images in projects funded by state governments.

"If states are weakened, eventually the Centre will suffer. Bengal's dues amount to Rs 1.71 lakh crore, expected to rise this year, covering food subsidies, MGNREGA, Awas Yojana, and road funds," she said.

Regarding the Teesta water sharing issue, Banerjee insisted on stakeholder consultations by the Centre.

Alleging exclusion from the decision, she said, ''They didn't consult us and are planning to divide West Bengal."

Union minister and state BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar suggested placing northern West Bengal under the Ministry of DoNER for more development funds.

"If we lose Teesta River water, north Bengal will suffer. It swells in monsoon but dries up in summer, causing water scarcity," Banerjee highlighted.

(With inputs from agencies.)