Mamata Banerjee in conflict with nephew over Kolkata college principal’s transfer: Sources

PTC News Desk: A notable rift has surfaced between West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her nephew, Abhishek Banerjee, who is the General Secretary of the Trinamool Congress. This discord centers around the recent transfer of Dr. Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College, following the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor at the hospital.

Sources indicate that Abhishek Banerjee has distanced himself from the controversy by not participating in his aunt’s rallies and padyatras (foot marches) that demand swift action from the CBI, which is investigating the case. Abhishek Banerjee is reportedly displeased with the quick suspension of Dr. Ghosh and his subsequent transfer to a prestigious position at Calcutta National Medical College.

Abhishek Banerjee believes that Mamata Banerjee, despite her reputation for integrity, did not take decisive enough action against alleged corruption at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. This sentiment is compounded by the perceived support Dr. Ghosh has from a faction within the Chief Minister’s circle, which is currently under scrutiny on social media for alleged corruption. Abhishek Banerjee feels that a more stringent approach is needed to preserve the party’s public image.

In response to an attack on the hospital by miscreants on August 14, Abhishek Banerjee took immediate action by contacting the Police Commissioner, showcasing a more urgent approach compared to his aunt’s relatively measured response.

Mamata Banerjee, in turn, has attributed the factional discord to Santanu Sen, a former Rajya Sabha MP and ally of Abhishek Banerjee. Sen was removed from his positions at the NRS Hospital’s patients’ committee and as the party’s spokesperson. Mamata Banerjee has criticized her nephew for not actively engaging in the crisis and has urged him to participate in rallies and take on more responsibility.

As the Supreme Court continues to address the trainee doctor’s rape-murder case, Mamata Banerjee remains the primary spokesperson for handling media relations, effectively sidelining Abhishek Banerjee’s media team. This ongoing internal conflict is further complicated by Abhishek Banerjee’s upcoming trip to New York for eye surgery in mid-September.

The tensions between Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee echo past internal conflicts within the CPI-M regime, where disagreements between leaders such as Jyoti Basu and Promod Dasgupta were described as conflicts between the state government’s Writers’ Building and the party’s Alimuddin Street headquarters. Today, similar rifts are evident between the government headquarters at Nabanna and Abhishek’s office at Camac Street.

About the Kolkata Rape-Murder Case

The tragic case involves a second-year postgraduate student who was found dead in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9, sparking nationwide protests. Sanjoy Roy, a civic volunteer with Kolkata Police, has been arrested in connection with the case, which is now under CBI investigation.

Public demonstrations, including those by resident doctors, have called for action against the culprits and for improved safety measures for doctors in their workplaces. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court criticized the West Bengal government for its handling of the case, highlighting delays in filing an FIR and other lapses.

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