Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren Absent as Some INDI Alliance Leaders Skip Event
Prime Minister chairs crucial policy forum while several opposition-led states opt out.
RANCHI – The NITI Aayog gathering in Delhi proceeds with notable absences from opposition-ruled states.
The NITI Aayog meeting, a key policy discussion forum, commenced in Delhi on Saturday under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s chairmanship.
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s absence was confirmed as the meeting got underway.
"There was uncertainty until the last moment, but CM Soren did not travel to Delhi," a source close to the Chief Minister’s Office stated.
The majority of Chief Ministers from the INDI Alliance chose to boycott the event in a coordinated move.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, however, broke ranks and participated in the meeting.
"CM Banerjee left for Delhi on Friday evening, indicating her intention to attend," a political source confirmed.
Soren had previously expressed his desire to attend and raise the issue of Jharkhand’s pending dues of ₹1.36 lakh crore.
"The alliance’s decision to boycott likely influenced CM Soren’s final choice," a political analyst suggested.
Other notable absentees included Karnataka’s Siddaramaiah, Himachal Pradesh’s Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, and Telangana’s Revanth Reddy.
Chief Ministers from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Delhi, and Punjab also opted to skip the NITI Aayog meeting.
"This coordinated absence reflects growing tensions between the central government and opposition-ruled states," noted a political commentator.
The boycott highlights the complex dynamics at play in India’s federal structure and policy-making processes.
Despite the absences, the meeting proceeded with discussions on various national development agenda items.
The mixed attendance at this crucial forum may impact the implementation of centrally-sponsored schemes in some states.
Observers are keenly watching how this development might influence center-state relations in the coming months.
The NITI Aayog, as India’s premier policy think tank, plays a vital role in shaping the country’s development strategy.
