*Have Not Come Here as CM But As Your Didi: Mamata Banerjee Visits Swasthya Bhavan Agitation Site To Appeal To Doctors In A Surprise Visit*
SB News Bureau: In an unprecedented move showing what pro-people leaders look like, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee set an example on Saturday and made a surprise visit at the Swasthya Bhavan agitation site to talk to protesting junior doctors and assured them of government action. Issuing an appeal to agitating doctors to withdraw their strike as their 'Didi' and "elder sister", she said she supports their demands for justice.
The development comes 2 days after doctors had refused to hold dialogue with her at Nabanna, where the CM waited for 2 hours due to an impasse over livestreaming the discussion. While the government offered an option to record the meeting as legal limitations did not allow for livestreaming a discussion on a sub-judice matter, the doctors rejected the offer and continued the deadlock.
"I am not here as the Chief Minister but as your Didi as your elder sister. I urge you to return to work. I support your movement for justice," she told the agitating doctors on Saturday, reiterating her demands for justice for the RG Kar victim and capital punishment for the perpetrators.
"Despite safety concerns, I have come here because I support your movement. You couldn't sleep amid rain and storm last night. Even I couldn't sleep. I feel your pain. Even I couldn't sleep for 34 days because your safety matters to us." she added.
Pledging her support to the cause, Mamata Banerjee assured protesting doctors that she would look into all their demands. "We have already initiated the renovation work of the state-run hospitals and will revamp the health infrastructure...We will form new Rogi Kalyan Samitis...No culprit is my friend and will not be spared if found guilty," she added.
The Chief Minister also said no action would be taken against the protesting doctors. "It is my earnest request to you. Discuss among yourselves and make a decision. Please return to work. You are like my brother and sisters and I have sympathy for you. I will not take any action against you. This is not UP. They had implemented ESMA and stopped all sorts of strikes and rallies. But be rest assured, I will not do anything of this sort. I am against taking any action against the doctors. I know that you do noble work. The seniors [doctors] need you. Think about my proposal,"If I can come to this protest site to stand by you, I can also ensure justice and listen to your demands."
7 hours ago