Thu Sep 12 13:59:00 UTC 2024: ## Bengal CM Offers Resignation Amid Doctor Protest Impasse

**Kolkata:** In a dramatic turn of events, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee offered to step down from her post, expressing frustration over the ongoing protest by junior doctors. The impasse, which began over a month ago following the rape and murder of a young doctor at RG Kar Medical College, has seen the state government and protesting doctors at loggerheads.

The CM, who had called a meeting with the doctors at the state secretariat, accused political forces of orchestrating the protest and using it for their own gain. She claimed that while many doctors were genuinely interested in dialogue, they were being influenced by external forces who were instructing them to not negotiate.

The meeting was abruptly called off after the doctors refused to enter the secretariat, citing the government’s refusal to allow live streaming of the proceedings. The government argued that live transmission was not possible due to the ongoing Supreme Court case regarding the matter.

“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 [the deceased doctor] and I want common people to get medical treatment,” Banerjee said at a press conference.

The Chief Minister also criticized the doctors’ demands, including the resignation of Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal and two senior health department officials. While acknowledging the pain and suffering of the people due to the ongoing protest, she warned that the government would hold the protesting doctors accountable if the situation worsened.

“If the families (of patients who suffer because of the protest) want an answer from us, we will be ready for that,” she stated.

The protesting doctors, who have accused the administration of trying to cover up the case and supporting the former Principal, Sandip Ghosh, have remained steadfast in their demands. They claim that live streaming would have ensured transparency in the meeting.

The Supreme Court is currently hearing the case, and the state government is tasked with handling the negotiations with the protesting doctors. With the Chief Minister’s dramatic offer to resign, the situation in West Bengal remains volatile, and it remains to be seen how the impasse will be resolved.

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