
Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced on Thursday that she is “ready to resign” if it would benefit the people of the state, as the deadlock over the junior doctors’ strike continues. Banerjee expressed her frustration and regret over the ongoing impasse, which has been exacerbated by the refusal of junior doctors to engage in talks regarding the R.G. Kar rape-murder case.
At a press conference, Banerjee revealed that she had waited nearly two hours for the striking doctors to arrive for a scheduled meeting, which was ultimately derailed when the doctors demanded that the meeting be live-streamed. The Chief Minister explained that the meeting could not be broadcast live due to its sensitive nature and ongoing Supreme Court review. However, she offered to record the session and provide the footage with court permission if needed.
Banerjee criticized the doctors for their refusal to negotiate and reiterated her commitment to justice for the victim while urging the doctors to resume their duties. She noted that the strike has resulted in the death of around 27 patients and has severely impacted approximately 7 lakh people due to disruptions in state-run healthcare services.
Despite the protests, Banerjee stated that she would not take disciplinary action against the doctors for violating the Supreme Court directive, emphasizing her patience and willingness to forgive. She also accused some junior doctors of being influenced by “external instructions” and suggested that political motives might be driving the protest.
The junior doctors began their strike on August 9, following the discovery of a female trainee’s body in a seminar room at a hospital. The strike has since intensified, leading to widespread healthcare disruptions across West Bengal.
Banerjee’s readiness to step down highlights her commitment to resolving the crisis and addressing the grievances of both the doctors and the affected citizens. She remains hopeful that open discussions will lead to a resolution, allowing normal healthcare services to resume and justice to be served.