INDIA bloc alleges ” budget discrimination”, its CMs to boycott Niti Ayog meet

New Delhi: The INDIA bloc floor leaders meeting presided over by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge Tuesday night felt Opposition-ruled States were ignored in the union budget. In protest, the INDIA bloc parties-ruled States’ CMs and other representatives will boycott the Niti Ayog governing council meeting on July 27. India bloc MPs will hold a joint protest outside Parliament on Wednesday morning and will demand in the House the government explain the “budget discrimination” against the Opposition-ruled States, they said.“The Union Budget presented today (Tuesday) was extremely discriminatory and dangerous, which completely goes against the principles of federalism and fairness that the Union Government must follow. In protest, INC CMs will be boycotting the NITI Aayog meeting scheduled for 27th July.

This government’s attitude is completely antithetical to Constitutional principles. We will not participate in an event that is solely designed to hide the true, discriminatory colours of this regime”, announced K C Venugopal, AICC general secretary (organisation), after the meeting thus making the Congress stand public. INDIA ally, DMK has also made it clear that Chief Minister MK Stalin will boycott the Niti Ayog meeting. Many other INDIA bloc CMs are expected to make similar announcements in the course of time.

The Trinamool Congress representatives at the meeting are learnt to have said the party’s final decision will have to be taken by leader Mamata Banerjee. CM Mamata Banerjee may join the INDIA boycott of Neeti Ayog meet or she will attend the meeting only to register protest and walkout, Opposition sources said.