Trinamool Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Wednesday broke his silence on the unprecedented crisis that the Mamata Banerjee government has been facing due to the ongoing cease-work protest by junior doctors, urging protesters to call off their strike and work with the state government to serve
the people.

“As a gesture of goodwill, the doctors should now consider CALLING OFF THE STRIKE AND WORK COLLABORATIVELY WITH GoWB to serve the people and expedite the implementation of the task force’s initiatives to ensure these changes are promptly executed,” Abhishek wrote on X on Wednesday afternoon.

Abhishek’s standing with the government assumes significance, especially as he and his camp had begun distancing themselves from the party’s affairs in the immediate aftermath of the August 9 brutality at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

They were frustrated by multiple administrative mistakes, including the decision to reinstate Sandip Ghosh as National Medical College and Hospital’s principal within hours of his resignation from RG Kar.

The most relevant question within the ruling TMC was “where is AB?” even as the ruling dispensation and state government faced its most severe crisis since it assumed power in 2011.

Last month, Abhishek circulated a written message through his office to the media, indicating he wanted the Bengal government to break free from the constraints of the “laggard system” — especially at a time when the party and the state government were “under fire”.

He understood some heads should roll, said a TMC leader. “The government had to transfer four top officials from Kolkata Police and the health department under pressure from junior doctors...,” the leader added.

Abhishek clarified that his stance came in response to the state government’s efforts to ensure safety and fulfil junior doctors’ demands by transferring top officials from Kolkata Police and the health department.

“As per the SC’s directions and the GoWB’s submission before the SC yesterday (Tuesday), most of the measures for improving their safety and security are in progress, including the installation of CCTV cameras and infrastructural developments in Medical Colleges and Hospitals across West Bengal, which are expected to be completed within 14 days. Additionally, the government has honored their demands for transferring certain top officials in the Health Department and Kolkata Police, as confirmed by the HCM the day before in her media address,” Abhishek added. “Since day one, I have supported the doctors in their concerns regarding safety and security, and I have always maintained that most of their concerns, barring a few, are valid, sensible and justified.”

Abhishek stressed the CBI be held accountable.

“Lastly, it is crucial to hold the CBI accountable and ensure that no perpetrators are spared, with swift punishment handed down at the earliest opportunity. The CBI’s record speaks for itself: over the past 10 years, they have not completed a single investigation they have undertaken. JUSTICE DELAYED IS JUSTICE DENIED. #JusticeForRGKar,” he said.