Mamata Banerjee offers to resign amid escalating stand-off with doctors

PTC News Desk: In an emotional address following a tense standoff with junior doctors, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her willingness to resign from her post “in the interest of the people” as protests over the government’s handling of the healthcare crisis continued. The doctors, who were invited for talks at the state secretariat, refused to attend the meeting, leading to an impasse that has now stretched beyond a month.

Speaking at a press conference after waiting for two hours, Banerjee reiterated her government’s readiness to engage in dialogue and assured the doctors that no punitive action would be taken against them.

However, she voiced frustration, suggesting that external forces with political motives were influencing the protests. “Our government has been insulted,” she said, noting the spread of anti-government messages on social media. She hinted at a political agenda behind the protests, stating, “They do not want justice. They want the chair.”

Banerjee emphasized her commitment to ensuring justice for the late Dr. Tilottama and providing medical care for the people of Bengal, while also expressing her disillusionment with the political interference. “In the interest of the people, I am ready to step down. I do not want the post of Chief Minister. I want justice for Tilottama and common people to get medical treatment,” she said, underscoring the gravity of the healthcare crisis in the state.

The junior doctors, who arrived at the secretariat but refused to enter, cited the government’s refusal to live-stream the meeting as their primary reason for not participating. The doctors had requested live transmission for transparency, but the government declined, citing ongoing Supreme Court hearings on the matter. Instead, the proceedings were recorded, but this concession was insufficient to convince the doctors to proceed with the meeting.

Despite agreeing to several of the doctors’ demands, including expanding the delegation from 15 to 33 members, the live-streaming issue remained a sticking point. The junior doctors called Banerjee’s remarks “unfortunate,” maintaining that they had been eager for talks. “However, the state administration was adamant about not allowing live streaming,” an unnamed doctor told the Press Trust of India.

During her speech, Banerjee expressed disappointment, suggesting that some members of the doctors’ delegation were being influenced by external instructions. “I know many in the delegation were interested in talks. But two or three people were giving instructions from outside,” she said, referencing press coverage that captured the situation.

After waiting for two hours, Banerjee apologized to the people of Bengal. “I have been sitting here for two hours. I waited yesterday too. Not just me, the senior officials too, against whom they are complaining all the time,” she said. She also made it clear that, while her government could have invoked laws such as the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) to end the strike, she would not take such a step, stating, “I am not a supporter of Emergency.”

Her plea to the doctors was clear: return to work for the sake of those suffering—patients needing heart or kidney surgeries, emergency care, and pregnant women. While she maintained a conciliatory tone, there was a sharp warning at the end of her speech: “If the families of patients who suffer because of the protest want an answer from us, we will be ready for that.” The government had earlier claimed that 27 people had died due to the disruption of healthcare services during the protest, a claim which the protesting doctors strongly denied.

Banerjee also extended her apology to the broader public, acknowledging the emotional toll the situation has taken. “I apologize to the people of Bengal, the people of the country, and the world who are supporting them. Please support them. We also want justice—for Tilottama, for the patients of Bengal who are suffering,” she said.

The ongoing dispute began more than a month ago, after the rape and murder of a young doctor, Dr. Tilottama, at RG Kar Medical College on August 9. The junior doctors have accused the government of attempting to cover up the incident and have demanded the resignations of several officials, including Kolkata police chief Vineet Goyal and two senior health department officials. They have also criticized the state’s support for former Principal Sandip Ghosh, who has since been arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on corruption charges.

The case has now reached the Supreme Court, which took suo motu notice of the situation. However, the state government has been tasked with handling the ongoing protests, while the CBI continues to investigate the rape-murder case and financial irregularities at the hospital. As the crisis deepens, the future of West Bengal’s healthcare system remains uncertain, with Banerjee’s leadership now under intense scrutiny.

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