"She's making effort to keep INDI alliance happy": Nirmala Sitharaman on Mamata Banerjee's 'mic-off' claim
The Hindu
Nirmala Sitharaman refutes Mamata Banerjee's claims, stating every CM was given allotted time at NITI Aayog meeting.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman hits out at Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, who said that NITI Aayog's "treatment of the West Bengal CM today, although typical of the NITI Aayog, is unacceptable" and said that Mamata Banerjee's claim is "baseless", adding that she is making an effort to keep the leaders of the INDIA bloc happy.
Refuting allegations made by West Bengal CM, Ms. Sitharaman, while replying to Jairam Ramesh on X, said that the former spoke her full time and her mic was not switched off in between at the NITI Aayog's meeting on Saturday.
"Jairam, you weren't even there! We all heard Hon. CM @MamataOfficial. She spoke her full time. The screen in front of our tables kept showing the time. A few other CMs spoke beyond their allotted time. On their own request, extra time was allowed without any fuss. Mikes were not switched off, not for anybody, particularly, not for CM, WB. Mamata ji has chosen to spread falsehood. I was happy she attended," she said.
"Was happier when she said she is speaking for Bengal and in fact for the entire opposition. I may agree or disagree with what she had to say. But now with her saying baseless things outside, I can only conclude that she is making an effort to keep I.N.D.I alliance happy," the Finance Minister added.
Earlier, while launching a scathing attack on NITI Aayog, the Congress General Secretary said that the advisory body has been an attached office of the Prime Minister's Office and has functioned as a drumbeater for the non-biological PM.
“Since it was established ten years ago, NITI Aayog has been an attached office of the PMO and has functioned as a drumbeater for the non-biological PM. It has not advanced the cause of cooperative federalism in any manner. Its functioning has been blatantly partisan, and it is anything but professional and independent,” Jairam Ramesh posted on X.
"It muzzles all divergent and dissenting viewpoints, which are the very essence of an open democracy. Its meetings are a farce to be reckoned with. Its treatment of the West Bengal CM today, although typical of the NITI Aayog, is unacceptable," he added.
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