Kolkata

Ending the speculation, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee confirmed on Friday that she will attend the NITI Aayog meeting in Delhi, which will be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport before her departure, Banerjee explained that her attendance is to voice her concerns about two main issues: financial deprivation affecting West Bengal and what she sees as attempts to divide the state.

Banerjee, accompanied by Trinamool Congress General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee, said she plans to protest against the financial neglect not only towards West Bengal but also other non-BJP ruled states. She criticized the Union Budget for favoring BJP-led states and vowed to raise these concerns at the meeting.

She also addressed BJP MP Nishikant Dubey’s recent proposal for a new Union territory that would include parts of West Bengal and neighboring regions. Banerjee denounced this as a plot to divide the state and disrupt national unity. She said she would either make her voice heard or, if not permitted, walk out in protest.

During their visit to Delhi, Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee will also meet with party members from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and engage with the media later in the day.