Frustrated by excluding non-BJP governed states in the general budget, parties within the ‘India’ alliance have declared a boycott of the NITI Aayog meeting. This meeting, which includes Chief Ministers from all states, is scheduled for July 27. The alliance members also plan to protest in the Parliament House complex on Wednesday. At least four Chief Ministers, including three from Congress-ruled states, will participate in the boycott.
It is reported that DMK leader and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, a key member of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (India Alliance), has already declared a boycott in response to the perceived injustice against the state.
On Tuesday, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge chaired a meeting with leaders of the parliamentary parties from the ‘India’ alliance to discuss the general budget in detail. The gathering at Kharge’s official residence included prominent figures such as Lok Sabha’s Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. According to a leader who attended, the discussion focused extensively on neglecting non-BJP ruled states in the budget. There is significant discontent among the alliance members regarding this perceived discrimination. During the meeting, the Chief Ministers of ‘India’ declared their decision to boycott the NITI Aayog meeting.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, senior Congress leader Pramod Tiwari stated that the ‘India’ alliance had discussed the budget, which they believe completely overlooks three-fourths of India, particularly states with non-BJP governments. The alliance plans to protest in the Parliament House complex on Wednesday and will also voice their concerns within the House.
Pramod Tiwari emphasized that this budget is supposed to serve the entire country, not just the BJP. However, the government has presented it as if it is solely a BJP budget. There is particular discontent over the neglect of Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Punjab in the budget. MPs from Tamil Nadu and West Bengal had already expressed their objections during the budget speech itself.
–Simran
