Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the eight governing council meeting of Niti Aayog today. At least Chief Ministers of six states skipped the meeting, a day ahead of the inauguration of the new Parliament building.
The list of CMs who boycotted the meeting are West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin, Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann.
The meeting was held at the new Convention Centre in Pragati Maidan, Delhi.
The theme of the meeting was Viksit Bharat at 2047: Role of Team India. Niti Aayog in an official statement stated today’s meeting will be participated by Chief Ministers, Lt Governors of all states and union territories, Union Ministers as ex-officio members, vice chairman and the members of the Niti Aayog.
The leaders of the states had announced their decision to skip the meeting due to various reasons.
Delhi CM Kejriwal in a written letter to PM Modi stated he is boycotting the meeting to protest against the May 19 ordinance moved by the Centre nullifying the Supreme Court judgement. Kejriwal in his letter termed the ordinance as undemocratic and unconstitutional.
Bihar CM Kumar while speaking to the media in Patna raised questions on the need of the new Parliament which is et to be inaugurated by PM Modi on May 28.
Kumar attacking the BJP said, the Central government in rule will change the history of the country and further added he sees no sense in attending the Niti Aayog meeting today at the new Parliament inauguration tomorrow.
Tamil Nadu CM Stalin will not be able to attend the meeting as he is on a three-day tour to Singapore and Japan, said state officials.
Punjab CM Mann stated the reason behind the boycott to be the Central government’s ignorance on farmer issues.
Telangana CM Rao is expected to attend a prearranged meeting with Kejriwal in Hyderabad on Saturday, the reason he is not attending the meeting.
While West Bengal CM Banerjee reason behind not attending the meeting was not stated, CM Banerjee is scheduled to visit Khadikul village in West Bengal to meet the family members of the victim of the blast in an illegal firecracker factory.
This comes after at least 20 opposition parties decided to boycott the inaugural event of the newly built Parliament building today.
