Congress leader Jairam Ramesh slams NITI Aayog meet; BJP hits back sharply

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh sharply criticized the recent NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting, calling it an 'Ayogya' (unfit) body and accusing the Centre of hypocrisy and diversion.

The meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, emphasized cooperative federalism with the theme 'Viksit Rajya for Viksit Bharat@2047,' aiming for a developed India by 2047. Modi stressed that "if the Union government and states work together like Team India, no goal is impossible."

Modi urged states to develop at least one tourist destination per state to global standards, highlighting tourism as a key growth sector. The council includes all state chief ministers, lieutenant governors of Union Territories, and several Union ministers.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu proposed forming three sub-groups focused on GDP growth, population management, and leveraging AI to accelerate development. Naidu emphasized his state's commitment to the national goal of a $30 trillion economy by 2047, citing initiatives like Quantum Valley and Drone City.

The BJP responded to Ramesh's criticism by accusing him of creating unnecessary controversies that could harm the Congress party. This exchange highlights the political tensions surrounding the NITI Aayog's role in India's development planning.

Key quotes:
"Calling the NITI Aayog an 'Ayogya' (unfit) body, Ramesh... alleged its meeting was yet another exercise in 'hypocrisy and diversion'."
"If Centre and states work together like Team India, no goal is impossible," said PM Modi.

Key stats:
"Viksit Bharat is the goal of every Indian. When every state is Viksit, then Bharat will be Viksit. This is the aspiration of its 140 crore citizens," PM Modi stated.
Andhra Pradesh aims for a $30 trillion economy by 2047.

This meeting marked the first major interaction between the Prime Minister and all state leaders post-Operation Sindoor, underscoring the importance of collaborative governance in India's development trajectory.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticized the NITI Aayog meeting as hypocritical, prompting a sharp BJP response accusing him of creating controversies. The meeting, chaired by PM Modi, focused on cooperative federalism and development goals for India by 2047, including tourism and economic growth strategies.