Banerjee to raise GST dues' 'non-payment', federalism at Niti meet

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee will be in New Delhi to attend the Niti Aayog governing council meeting and to meet Trinamool parliamentarians attending the monsoon session of Parliament. Her party has been in the spotlight recently after senior minister Partha Chatterjee was sacked over ED's alleged seizure of crores of rupees from two flats of his aide.

Rajya Sabha MP Sukhendu Sekhar Roy said "she visits the capital during Parliament sessions. She will also meet MPs to discuss party matters". Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair Niti Aayog's governing council meeting on August 7, where issues related to agriculture, health and economy would be discussed.

The apex body of Niti Aayog includes chief ministers, lieutenant governors and several Union ministers. The council meets regularly, since its first meeting on February 8, 2015. Banerjee had missed the meeting last year. She is expected to raise concerns of non-payment of GST dues and federalism issues at this year's meeting.


The visit also comes ahead of the VP election on August 6 too. Trinamool had decided to abstain from voting, alleging that the opposition picked Margaret Alva as its candidate without consulting Banerjee. She is also likely to meet opposition leaders. Telangana CM KC Rao too had met several Opposition leaders during his recent visit.