Fri Sep 13 09:47:23 UTC 2024: ## West Bengal CM Offers to Resign as Junior Doctor Protests Continue
**Kolkata, India** – In a dramatic turn of events, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee offered to resign on Thursday in a bid to end the month-long standoff with protesting junior doctors over the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
The impasse escalated after the protesting doctors refused to participate in scheduled talks with the government unless their demands for live streaming of the meeting were met. The doctors had initially agreed to the meeting but changed their minds, leaving the Chief Minister and other officials waiting at the secretariat for over two hours.
“For people’s sake, I am ready to resign; I also want justice for the murdered doctor,” Banerjee stated in a press conference, expressing her frustration at the lack of communication from the doctors.
The Chief Minister apologized to the people of Bengal for the disruption of medical services across the city, stating that 27 people had died and 7 lakh patients were suffering due to the ongoing cease work.
While Banerjee’s resignation offer was intended to break the deadlock, the junior doctors maintained that their primary concern was finding a solution to the stalemate and ensuring justice for their colleague. They stated that they did not demand the Chief Minister’s resignation, but were disappointed that the talks did not take place.
The West Bengal government had previously rejected the doctors’ demands for Banerjee’s presence and a live broadcast as pre-conditions for negotiations.
This incident highlights the deep frustration and anger among junior doctors in the state, who are demanding stricter security measures and greater accountability from the government following the tragic death of their colleague.
First Piper 