Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has firmly refuted West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s claims that she was not given adequate time to speak at the Niti Aayog meeting held on Saturday. Banerjee had alleged that she was unfairly cut short during her speech, which purportedly led her to walk out of the meeting. Sitharaman, however, has provided a detailed counter-narrative, asserting that Banerjee was allotted the full duration of her speaking time and chose to leave the meeting voluntarily.
At a Business Today Conclave, Sitharaman expressed her disbelief and frustration regarding Banerjee’s public assertions. She clarified that Banerjee was given the complete amount of time allocated to her, and if there had been a request for additional time, it would have been granted without hesitation. Sitharaman highlighted that the Niti Aayog meetings are conducted with strict adherence to procedural norms, which include the use of a visible clock that monitors the speaking time.
According to Sitharaman, the meeting is organized with a screen displaying a countdown clock that begins when a participant starts speaking. Once the allotted time elapses, the clock turns green and then red after an additional 30 seconds, signaling the end of the speaking period. During this time, the presiding officer, in this case, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, would lightly tap his microphone with a pen or pencil to indicate that the speaker’s time is concluding. This practice ensures that all participants are aware of their time constraints.
Sitharaman explained that other chief ministers had previously requested additional time, and their requests were accommodated without any issues. She emphasized that Banerjee had the same opportunity to extend her remarks if she desired. However, Banerjee chose to conclude her speech and leave the meeting, a decision that Sitharaman attributes to her own choice rather than any procedural unfairness.
The Finance Minister expressed her regret over Banerjee’s decision to leave early and her subsequent public statements claiming a lack of opportunity to speak. Sitharaman described these claims as misleading and unfounded, asserting that the meeting adhered to its established procedures and that Banerjee’s participation was fully respected.
Sitharaman’s detailed account aimed to address concerns about procedural fairness and transparency in high-level meetings. She reaffirmed that the Niti Aayog meeting was conducted with respect for all participants, and any allegations of unfair treatment were not reflective of the actual events. Her response was intended to clarify the situation and dispel any misconceptions about the meeting’s conduct.
In summary, Sitharaman’s remarks sought to correct the narrative presented by Banerjee, emphasizing that the Chief Minister was allotted her full speaking time and chose to leave the meeting voluntarily. The Finance Minister’s response underscores her commitment to upholding procedural integrity and addressing any claims of procedural impropriety.
