Thu Sep 12 22:47:20 UTC 2024: ## West Bengal Governor Socially Boycotts Chief Minister Amidst RG Kar Medical College Crisis

**Kolkata:** Tensions in West Bengal escalated further on Thursday as Governor CV Ananda Bose announced he would “socially boycott” Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, citing the ongoing crisis at RG Kar Medical College and the public outcry over the government’s handling of the situation.

The crisis, stemming from the rape and murder of a female trainee doctor, has seen junior doctors on strike for 33 days, paralyzing healthcare services across the state. Despite a Supreme Court directive to resume duties, the strike continues.

Governor Bose, in a strongly worded statement, expressed his dismay over the government’s response, stating, “In solidarity with the Bengal society, I resolve that I will socially boycott the chief minister.” He clarified that this means he will not share any public platform with Banerjee and will not participate in events involving her. He added that he would fulfill his constitutional obligations but would limit his engagement with her to those duties.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Banerjee, visibly frustrated, declared she was ready to resign for the sake of the people and the victims of the alleged crime at RG Kar Medical College. She expressed her desire for justice but criticized the junior doctors for refusing to engage in talks, despite her overtures. Banerjee waited for over two hours at the state secretariat, Nabanna, for the doctors to arrive for the scheduled meeting, but it failed to materialize.

The doctors, demanding live-streaming of the meeting, accused the government of opacity. Banerjee countered by offering to record the meeting and provide the footage with the Supreme Court’s permission.

The impasse has resulted in the deaths of 27 patients and affected nearly 7 lakh people, according to Banerjee. She urged the doctors to rejoin work, emphasizing that her government had shown restraint in not taking action against them.

Banerjee also suggested that external forces might be influencing the doctors’ refusal to negotiate, stating, “They want the chair. I am ready to resign from my post for the sake of the people. I don’t want the chair.”

The ongoing crisis continues to grip West Bengal, with the stalemate between the government and the junior doctors showing no signs of a resolution.

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