Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday joined the INDIA alliance in boycotting the upcoming NITI Aayog Meeting chaired by PM Modi. INDIA alliance has boycotted the upcoming NITI Aayog meet over 'discriminatory' Budget 2024-25. As per reports, the INDIA alliance had alleged that non-NDA ruled states have been ignored in the Union Budget 2024-25. After which Congress and DMK had announced a boycott. As per reports, AAP spokesperson said that they stand with the INDIA alliance.
Apart from Punjab CM Mann, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Sukhu has also decided not to attend this meeting. Apart from this, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, Karnataka's Siddaramaiah, and Tamil Nadu's MK Stalin will also not attend the meeting. The NITI Aayog meeting was slated to take place on July 27. As per reports, the Punjab CM was going to raise the issue of Rs 10 thousand crore pending before the Center in the meeting. It also includes about Rs 6,767 crore of Rural Development Fund and Mandi Development Fund.
It is pertinent to mention here that all the opposition Chief Ministers except West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee have announced a boycott of NITI Aayog. As per reports, Mamata Banerjee and TMC's Derek O'Brien will attend the meeting and "strongly use the platform to hold the Union government responsible" for West Bengal's legitimate dues.