In a recent development, the governing council meeting of the NITI Aayog witnessed a boycott by several chief ministers, leading to a heated exchange of words between political parties. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) strongly criticised the decision of the boycotting chief ministers, labeling it as “anti-people” and “irresponsible.” Among the chief ministers who chose not to attend the meeting were Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, both defending their stance with claims of unfulfilled demands from the previous year.
CM Bhagwant Mann, accompanied by Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao and Aam Aadmi Party supremo Arvind Kejriwal, addressed the media in Hyderabad to justify their decision to skip the NITI Aayog meeting. Mann alleged that the central government had failed to release the allocated funds for the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) and National Health Mission (NHM), which were key demands from the previous year. Expressing his dissatisfaction, Mann remarked, “We did not go to the meeting of NITI Aayog. What is there to do? Just to get our pictures clicked? I have sent a letter that my last year’s speech should be accepted this time also.”
Chief Ministers’ Boycott of NITI Aayog Meeting Sparks Controversy
The eighth governing council meeting of the NITI Aayog, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, took place at the new Convention Centre in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The council, comprising all state chief ministers and lieutenant governors (LGs) of Union territories, witnessed the absence of notable figures such as Arvind Kejriwal, Bhagwant Mann, Mamata Banerjee, Nitish Kumar, M K Stalin, and K Chandrashekar Rao.
Mann expressed his discontentment further, emphasizing that the demands made by the states in the previous year had not been fulfilled. “Because what was asked last year has not been given. They didn’t give money for RIDF, nor for NHM. They do not give what is the right of the state. Will we go to NITI Aayog to get our photos clicked? They hold meetings but take decisions on their own,” Mann proclaimed, highlighting the grievances of the boycotting chief ministers.
In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, Arvind Kejriwal justified his absence by condemning the “undemocratic and unconstitutional” May 19 ordinance, which centralized control over services in the national capital under the Lieutenant Governor (LG). Kejriwal argued that this ordinance effectively nullified a Supreme Court order that granted control of services, excluding police, public order, and land, to the elected government. “People are saying that we should not attend tomorrow’s NITI Aayog meeting. Hence, it is not possible for me to attend the meeting tomorrow,” added the Delhi CM, further explaining his decision.
The ruling BJP strongly criticized the boycotting chief ministers, deeming their actions as “anti-people” and “irresponsible.” Ravi Shankar Prasad, a senior BJP leader and former Union minister, expressed his disappointment during a press conference, questioning the absence of the chief ministers from a meeting where crucial issues were to be discussed. “Why are they not coming to attend the meeting where 100 issues are to be discussed? If such a large number of chief ministers do not participate, they are not bringing the voice of their states,” Prasad argued. He further emphasized the direct impact of the chief ministers’ absence on the people of their respective states, calling it “very unfortunate, irresponsible, and anti-people.”
The boycott of the NITI Aayog meeting by the chief ministers has undoubtedly stirred controversy and raised questions about the effectiveness and inclusivity of such gatherings. As the political landscape continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how this decision will shape future interactions between the central government and the states, and whether the demands of the boycotting chief ministers will be addressed.
Several chief ministers abstain from the NITI Aayog meeting, leading to a political dispute.
In a recent development, a wave of controversy has swept through the political sphere as several chief ministers chose to boycott the governing council meeting of the NITI Aayog. This decision has ignited a heated exchange between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the boycotting chief ministers, with accusations of being “anti-people” and “irresponsible” being hurled from both sides. Among the chief ministers who abstained from attending the meeting were Bhagwant Mann, the CM of Punjab, and Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi. Their rationale for skipping the meeting revolved around their claims of unfulfilled demands from the previous year.
Addressing the media in Hyderabad alongside Telangana CM K Chandrashekar Rao and Aam Aadmi Party supremo Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann defended their decision, citing the lack of progress on last year’s demands. Mann alleged that the central government had failed to release the funds allocated for the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) and National Health Mission (NHM). Expressing his frustration, Mann questioned the purpose of attending the meeting merely to have their pictures taken and stated that he had sent a letter requesting the acceptance of his last year’s speech this time as well.