NITI Aayog Meet: FM Sitharaman Responds As PIB Fact-Checks Mamata Banerjee’s Claim of ‘Muted Microphone’

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman dismissed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s claim that she was unfairly interrupted during her speech at the NITI Aayog meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Saturday. After leaving the 9th NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting, Mamata Banerjee alleged that her microphone was turned off after five minutes, while other chief ministers were allowed to speak for longer.

Responding to the Trinamool Congress leader’s accusation, Nirmala Sitharaman told ANI that it was inaccurate to say Mamata Banerjee’s microphone was turned off, explaining that her allotted speaking time had simply expired.

“CM Mamata Banerjee attended the NITI Aayog meeting. We all heard her. Every CM was given the allotted time, which was displayed on the screen before every table. She said in the media that her mic was put off. That is completely false. Every CM was given their due time to speak. It’s unfortunate that the chief minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, has claimed that her mic was switched off, which is not true. She should speak the truth behind this rather than again build a narrative based on falsehood,” said the finance minister.

Additionally, the Press Information Bureau Fact Check (PIB Fact Check), under the Information & Broadcasting Ministry, labeled Mamata Banerjee’s allegation as “misleading.”

“It is being claimed that the microphone of CM, West Bengal was switched off during the 9th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog. This claim is #Misleading. The clock only showed that her speaking time was over. Even the bell was not rung to mark it,” PIB Fact Check posted on X.

“Alphabetically, CM, West Bengal turn would have come after lunch. She was accommodated as the 7th speaker on an official request of the West Bengal government as she had to return early,” it added.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi also commented, noting that he was unaware of the specifics of the meeting but criticized the opposition alliance. “I can only say this so-called INDI alliance is not at all an alliance because Mamata Banerjee did not give a single seat to the Congress in West Bengal. They are not able to digest the mandate of the people, they are crying foul.”

Mamata Banerjee’s Allegations:

Mamata Banerjee claimed her microphone was turned off after five minutes, while other chief ministers from NDA-ruled states spoke for longer durations.

“This is insulting. I will not attend any further meeting,” the Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader said.

“I have come out boycotting the meeting. (Andhra Pradesh chief minister) Chandrababu Naidu was given 20 minutes to speak. The chief ministers of Assam, Goa, Chhattisgarh spoke for 10-12 minutes. I was stopped from speaking after just five minutes,” Mamata Banerjee told reporters after exiting the meeting chaired by PM Narendra Modi.

“This is unfair. From the opposition side, only I am representing here. I attended this meeting because of the greater interest that cooperative federalism should be strengthened,” she added.

Banerjee stated that she told the meeting that the government presented a politically biased budget and questioned why the Centre was discriminating against certain states.

“The NITI Aayog has no financial powers. How will it work? Give it financial powers or bring the Planning Commission back,” she said.

“I was stopped from speaking after five minutes. I said this is unfair. I am the only one present from the opposition side, I am attending this meeting because of the greater interest,” she said.

Banerjee mentioned that certain states were overlooked in the Union Budget for 2024-25.

“I said you are politically biased, you are not giving attention to different states. Even the budget is a political, biased budget…. I told them it should be reviewed. I spoke for all states,” Banerjee said.

She also highlighted that central funds are owed to West Bengal under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) and Prime Minister Awas Yojana.

The TMC chief said she wanted to speak more but her microphone was turned off after five minutes.

“I was stopped after five minutes. Others spoke for 10-15-20 minutes. I was the only one from the opposition but I was stopped. This is insulting. I will not attend any further meetings,” she said.