Microphone Switch-Off Sparks Outrage in West Bengal Assembly Over NITI Aayog Snub

West Bengal Minister Manas Bhunia raised a special notice in the Assembly regarding the microphone of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee being switched off during a NITI Aayog meeting. Banerjee claimed she was humiliated, leading to a walkout. TMC legislators condemned the incident, while BJP legislators walked out in protest.

In a dramatic turn of events, West Bengal Minister Manas Bhunia on Monday moved a special notice in the Assembly, highlighting a significant issue: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's microphone was allegedly switched off during a NITI Aayog meeting on July 27 in New Delhi.

Chief Minister Banerjee claimed that she was humiliated when her microphone was muted just five minutes into her speech, prompting her to stage a walkout. This incident has sparked outrage among Trinamool Congress (TMC) legislators who condemned the act as against the spirit of cooperative federalism.

The issue has led to heated debates within the Assembly. BJP legislators opposed the notice and staged their own walkout, arguing that Banerjee's remarks to reporters after the meeting were not officially part of the Assembly discussion. Speaker Biman Banerjee had earlier suspended the question hour session to address the special notice.