West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has stirred controversy with her recent remarks at the University of Oxford, where she expressed skepticism over predictions that India will become the world’s largest economy by 2060. Speaking at Kellogg College during a discussion on “Social Development – Girl, Child, and Women Empowerment in West Bengal,” Banerjee was seen in a video disagreeing with the moderator’s statement about India’s economic rise. “I will differ that,” she said when told that India is on track to become the world’s largest economy in the next few decades. Her comments quickly drew sharp criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which accused her of undermining India’s progress and potential on an international platform.
BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya shared the video on social media, calling Banerjee’s response an “insult” to India’s growth trajectory. He emphasized that India has already surpassed the UK to become the fifth-largest economy and is projected to climb further in the coming years. BJP leaders criticized Banerjee for allegedly downplaying the nation’s economic achievements and argued that such remarks could impact India’s global perception. Supporters of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), however, defended Banerjee, stating that her stance reflected a more cautious and realistic outlook on economic predictions rather than outright dismissal of India’s progress.
The debate surrounding Banerjee’s statement has ignited fresh political tensions, with the BJP using it as an opportunity to target her leadership and vision for India’s future. As India moves toward upcoming elections, economic growth remains a crucial issue, and such remarks are expected to become a talking point in political discourse. While Banerjee’s critics argue that she should take pride in India’s rising global standing, her supporters maintain that she was merely advocating for a more grounded approach to economic forecasting. The controversy underscores the deep political divide on how India’s economic progress is perceived and projected on international platforms.
