Unhappy over special mention to Andhra & Bihar in Budget 2024, Oppn CMs to boycott upcoming NITI Aayog meet

Angry over not finding the mention of their respective states in Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's budget 2024 speech, several chief ministers from the non-BJP ruled governments on Tuesday announced that they would boycott the upcoming NITI Aayog meeting to be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The first such statement was made by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin who said that his state has been "completely ignored" in the Union Budget. He also said that MPs from his party, DMK, will hold a protest on Wednesday over the budget.

The special mention of key ally states of Bihar and Andhra Pradesh in the budget has irked the Opposition who have described it as an 'appeasement budget'. Through the Union Budget, the central government has extended help to both the states run by NDA allies, JD(U) and TDP. Both Bihar and Andhra will see major developments in the next five years after Sithraman allocated funds to the states.

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"In order to establish Tamil Nadu's rights, we will continue to fight in the people's court." Speaking to reporters, Stalin said that in order to satisfy a few regional parties that made a 'minority BJP' into 'majority BJP', schemes have announced in the Budget for a few states, apparently referring to Bihar and Andhra Pradesh.

"Though such schemes have been announced by the Centre, it is doubtful whether these will be implemented. Though the Union government had announced the 'Metro Rail scheme' for Tamil Nadu, no fund allocation has been made for it (Chennai Metro Rail Phase-2) and the state is being deceived to date," he added.

K'taka, Telangana and Himachal follow suit

Soon after Stalin announced his non-participation in the NITI Aayog meeting to be held on June 27, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu said they would boycott the meet too.

Joining the chorus of various other opposition parties, Reddy described the Union Budget as "kursi bachao budget (budget to save chair)" as it sought to please NDA partners TDP and JD(U).

NDA means "Naidu-Nitish Dependent Alliance", he said, addressing a press conference.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray said that the "BJP hates Maharashtra."

"Bihar and Andhra Pradesh should get their due like many of us have been contributing to the national treasury... What has Maharashtra got, that is the most important question today. Maharashtra has been not even mentioned today in the Budget. BJP constantly insults and hates Maharashtra, and this is what we have been seeing for the last 10 years," he said.

Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal also announced that the party's chief ministers will not be attending the upcoming meeting.

Sitharaman responds

In an interview with DD News, Sitharaman rejected the allegations made by opposition parties and said, "I could not take every state's name. It does not mean no money is going to that state...every scheme will be applicable in all states."

NITI Aayog meeting

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair NITI Aayog's ninth Governing Council meeting on July 27, which will discuss the 'Vikshit Bharat@2047' document to make India a developed nation, a senior government official said on July 8.

The Council, the apex body of NITI Aayog, includes all State Chief Ministers, Lieutenant Governors of Union Territories, and several Union Ministers. Mr. Modi is the Chairman of the NITI Aayog.

With inputs from agencies