West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is expected to visit New Delhi on Monday, June 9, and may hold a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during her three-day trip, sources from the state administration confirmed. She is scheduled to return to Kolkata on June 11.

Meeting with PM Sought to Discuss Dues

Officials at Nabanna, the state secretariat, revealed that the Chief Minister’s Office has approached the Prime Minister’s Office for an appointment on June 10. Banerjee is likely to press for the release of central funds, which the state government claims have been held back for various welfare schemes. The total pending amount, according to state officials, has now crossed ₹2.27 lakh crore.

“The Chief Minister intends to take up the issue of withheld funds under central schemes like MGNREGA and PM Awas Yojana, which are crucial for rural employment and housing,” a senior Nabanna official said.

State-Centre Tussle Over Fund Allocation

The Trinamool Congress has consistently accused the Centre of deliberately withholding funds due to political bias. The matter has even reached the Supreme Court. On the other hand, the BJP-led central government has maintained that the disbursal of funds has been paused due to alleged irregularities in the implementation of these schemes in West Bengal.

Boycott of NITI Aayog Meet

Banerjee’s planned visit follows her absence from the recent NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting held in Delhi and chaired by the Prime Minister. Sources close to the Chief Minister indicated that she skipped the event in protest after learning that NDA-ruled states were given significantly more time to speak—over 15 minutes—while her speaking time was limited to five minutes.

TMC’s Delhi Office Set for Inauguration

During her stay in the national capital, Banerjee will also inaugurate the Trinamool Congress’s newly established party office. The development is seen as part of the party’s efforts to enhance its presence in national politics ahead of upcoming electoral battles.