Congress Chief Ministers To Boycott NITI Aayog Meeting – Here’s Why
NITI Aayog meeting scheduled to be held on July 27th has become the latest casualty of the Union Budget presented today. Congress alleged that the Union Budget 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 27th July,” Congress’ general secretary in charge of organisation KC Venugopal said in a statement. Congress has governments in Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh and Telangana currently.
“This government’s attitude is completely antithetical to Constitutional principles. We will not participate in an event that is solely designed to hide the true, discriminatory colours of this regime,” alleged Venugopal.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah took to X to detail the reason for why he won’t be attending the meeting.
“We don’t feel Kannadigas are heard, and hence there is no point in attending the NITI Aayog meeting. We have decided to boycott the NITI Aayog meeting, which will be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 27 July, as a mark of protest. Even our farmers’ demands to approve Mekedatu and Mahadayi have been ignored. There was no attempt to rectify their sin of reducing funds to our state under various categories. Funds for metro and other infra projects are still a distant dream,” the Karnataka Chief Minister said.
Before this, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has also expressed strong disapproval, accusing Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman of exhibiting a discriminatory attitude towards the states, particularly Kerala. Vijayan criticised the budget for ignoring Kerala’s demands for AIIMS, disaster relief packages, and support for the tourism sector, calling it a significant oversight that undermines the aspirations of Keralites.
Vijayan emphasised that the budget’s failure to address the fiscal empowerment of states, instead imposing further financial constraints, poses a major challenge to the autonomy and development of states like Kerala. He labeled the stance of the central government as unsympathetic and discriminatory, calling for active resistance and advocacy for the rights and needs of Kerala to ensure fair consideration.
“The Budget 2024 presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman exhibits a discriminatory attitude towards the states, particularly Kerala. Our genuine demands for AIIMS, disaster relief packages, and interventions for the tourism sector have been met with deafening silence,” Vijayan said.
The allegations by Opposition ruled states are follow the special budget announcements for BJP’s ally states Bihar and Andhra Pradesh today.
