In a surprising move, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee offered to resign amidst an ongoing crisis involving junior doctors. The question remains: is this a genuine attempt to take accountability, or yet another political stunt by a leader whose credibility is increasingly under scrutiny? Mamata’s offer to resign came on the heels of a prolonged standoff with agitating junior doctors, whose five demands were mostly conceded. However, she refused to allow live coverage of their meeting, an action that raised eyebrows and left many questioning her motives. Her statement of resignation was laden with a conditional “if the people of West Bengal are unhappy with her,” creating ambiguity rather than clarity. This ambiguity, many believe, is a tactic to manipulate public sentiment in her favour. The agitation began following the brutal gang rape and murder of a 31-year-old junior doctor named Abhaya (name changed) in a state-run hospital. The incident shocked the conscience of the state and sparked protests not only across West Bengal, but also across the country. The widespread support for the agitating doctors underscored a deeper public discontent with Mamata’s handling of the situation. This was not just about a single tragic incident; it became a reflection of the perceived inefficiency, corruption, and politicization under her administration. Mamata Banerjee, who also holds the health portfolio, has been accused of a series of missteps in this case. The government’s apparent eagerness to tamper with the crime scene, coupled with a delayed and half-hearted investigation, has created widespread outrage. Instead of sacking the hospital principal after the incident, her government transferred him to a higher position within the health department. Similarly, as the state’s Home Minister, Mamata failed to take any action against the police chief, who was accused of complacency in preventing a mob of 7,000 from attacking the hospital—an act seen as an attempt to erase any remaining evidence. Such actions cast serious doubts on her commitment to justice.
The judiciary has taken note of these discrepancies. The Calcutta High Court’s directive to transfer the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was a clear indication of its lack of faith in the state machinery. But by then, the damage had been done. Evidence was already allegedly tampered with or destroyed under the guise of renovation, ordered by the Health Department. The public was left wondering: Can Mamata’s government be trusted to deliver justice? This erosion of trust has been compounded by Mamata’s handling of the agitation. Instead of addressing the concerns of the junior doctors head-on, her government resorted to intimidation and suppression. Legal luminary Kapil Sibal, representing her government, struggled to defend the indefensible in the Supreme Court. From failing to conduct a proper post-mortem to hurriedly burying Abhaya’s body without her parents’ consent, the state’s actions reek of a cover-up. Against this backdrop, Mamata’s offer to resign appears more like a desperate attempt to deflect criticism than an act of accountability. She has made similar offers in the past—most notably during the Narada and Sarada scams and the multi-crore chit fund scandals. Those resignation offers, too, turned out to be mere theatrics aimed at garnering sympathy. The latest resignation offer seems to be from the same playbook. Mamata Banerjee is no stranger to political drama. Known for her fiery rhetoric and populist stances, she has often used emotional blackmail as a tool to sway public opinion.
However, the current scenario is starkly different. With her government being questioned in the Supreme Court and a third hearing scheduled for September 17, where the missing “death challan” of Abhaya is expected to be produced, the pressure is mounting. This resignation offer could be a smokescreen to buy time and divert attention from her government’s mishandling of the case. The unrelenting junior doctors have also exposed the deteriorating state of healthcare in West Bengal under Mamata’s rule. By refusing to call off their agitation despite a Supreme Court directive, they brought to light that the number of junior doctors in the state is only around 7,500. This stark revelation points to a much deeper crisis in the healthcare system—a crisis that has worsened over Mamata’s 15-year rule. The widespread sentiment in West Bengal is that Mamata’s continuance as Chief Minister has become untenable. Even prominent voices in the media, such as Arnab Goswami of Republic TV, have openly called for her resignation not just as Chief Minister but also from the Health and Home portfolios. There is a growing consensus that her nephew’s anticipated takeover would be equally controversial, given the cloud of culpability that hangs over the current regime. Given the gravity of the situation, it would be wise for Mamata Banerjee to consider seeking a fresh mandate from the people. Her government’s attempts to suppress, distort, and destroy evidence in a sensitive case, combined with its inability to provide a sense of justice to the bereaved family, have severely dented her image. Her resignation offer instead of being a graceful exit, is viewed by many as a strategic move to avoid further embarrassment. The people of West Bengal deserve better—a government that stands for justice, transparency, and accountability. If Mamata Banerjee truly believes in her leadership and the trust of her people, she should step down and call for fresh elections. Only then can the true will of the people be known, and only then can West Bengal hope for a future that respects both its citizens and the rule of law.
