A Tale of Contradictions
The NITI Aayog meeting on July 27, 2023, witnessed a dramatic turn of events when West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee walked out, alleging that her microphone was muted and she was not allowed to speak beyond a certain time limit. This sparked a heated political debate, with conflicting narratives emerging from different parties.
Banerjee claimed that she was only allowed to speak for five minutes, while others spoke for 10-20 minutes. She felt discriminated against and insulted, leading to her decision to walk out. However, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and the Press Information Bureau Fact Check (PIB Fact Check) refuted these claims.
Sitharaman stated that Banerjee was heard clearly during the meeting and that her microphone was not turned off. PIB Fact Check further clarified that the clock only indicated the end of her allotted speaking time and no bell was rung to signify it.
Adding to the controversy, West Bengal Congress chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury surprisingly contradicted Banerjee's claims. He stated that he believed Banerjee was lying and that she knew what to expect at the meeting. This statement further fueled the debate and raised questions about the true nature of the incident.
The conflicting narratives surrounding the NITI Aayog meeting leave the public with more questions than answers. Was Banerjee truly silenced, or did she choose to walk out as a political tactic? The truth remains elusive, shrouded in a web of contradicting statements and accusations.