“In the interest of the people, I am ready to step down. I do not want the post of the Chief Minister. I want justice for Tilottama. And I want common people to get medical treatment,” Mamata Banerjee said at a press conference after waiting two hours for the junior doctors’ delegation.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, after being stood up by junior doctors invited to a meeting at the state secretariat, delivered an emotional speech stating she is not attached to her position and is willing to step down “for the people’s benefit.” She reassured the doctors that no punitive action would be taken and emphasized the government’s openness to dialogue, while expressing frustration with those she believes are manipulating the protest for their own gain.
Pointing to the proliferation of anti-government messages on social media, she said, “Our government has been insulted. Common people do not know there is a political colour to it”.
The people behind the political colour, she said, “Do not want justice. They want the chair”.
“In the interest of the people, I am ready to step down. I do not want the post of the Chief Minister. I want justice for Tilottama. And I want common people to get medical treatment,” the Chief Minister said at a press conference after waiting two hours for the junior doctors’ delegation.
The delegation of doctors arrived at the state secretariat for a meeting scheduled to begin at 5 pm but refused to enter when their demand for live transmission of the proceedings was denied by the government. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee explained that live streaming could not be permitted as the matter is currently before the Supreme Court.
The government had agreed to all other demands from the doctors, including increasing the number of delegation members from 15 to 33 and adding an extra member to the team. However, the insistence on live transmission became a major obstacle. While the government offered to record the proceedings instead, this was not acceptable to the doctors, who were hoping the meeting would resolve the ongoing conflict and restore normalcy.
The junior doctors have criticized the government for its refusal to allow live streaming, calling the Chief Minister’s stance “unfortunate.” They emphasized their demand for transparency in the meeting.
An unnamed doctor, quoted by Press Trust of India, said, “The state administration was inflexible about allowing live streaming. Our demands are reasonable. We sought live streaming for transparency.”
Chief Minister Banerjee accused the doctors of following external instructions and said, “Many in the delegation were interested in negotiating, but some individuals were instructing them from outside not to attend the meeting. We have evidence of this from the press recordings.”
Banerjee, who had waited outside while discussions continued, expressed her disappointment at an impromptu press conference, stating, “I apologize to the people of Bengal for the unresolved issue. Many hoped for a resolution today, but the matter remains unresolved.”
With folded hands, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee addressed the crowd, saying, “I have been here for two hours. I also waited yesterday. It’s not just me; senior officials, whom they continually criticize, have been present too.”
She continued, “We will keep waiting. Uttar Pradesh took action, and while we have the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA), I will not enforce it. I am not a supporter of Emergency measures.”
Banerjee’s primary plea was for the doctors to return to work, emphasizing the suffering of patients who need critical care, such as those requiring heart or kidney operations, as well as pregnant women about to give birth.
She added a cautionary note: “If families of patients affected by the protest seek answers, we will be prepared to provide them.” The government has claimed that 27 people have died due to the disruption in healthcare services caused by the protest, a claim the doctors have dismissed.
“I have made every effort to communicate with the doctors. I apologize to the people of Bengal, the country, and the world who support them. We also seek justice—for Tilottama and for the patients in Bengal who are suffering,” Banerjee stated.
The failed meeting follows over a month of tension between the doctors and the state government regarding the rape-murder of a young doctor at RG Kar Medical College on August 9. The protesting doctors have accused the government of trying to obscure the issue and supporting the former Principal Sandip Ghosh, who has been arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a corruption case.
The doctors have demanded several resignations, including that of Kolkata police chief Vineet Goyal and two senior health department officials. They have made it clear they will not relent until their demands are met.
While the Supreme Court is overseeing the broader case, the state government is handling the immediate situation with the protesting doctors. The CBI is investigating both the rape-murder case and allegations of financial irregularities at the hospital.
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