Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has extended a “fifth and final” invitation to the protesting doctors for talks at her residence in Kolkata, even as A stalemate between the two parties The series of rapes and murders of doctors continues in Kolkata. The doctors have been called for a meeting at 5 p.m.
“This is the fifth and last occasion when we are contacting you for a meeting between the Honorable Chief Minister and your delegation. As per yesterday's conversation, we once again invite you to meet with the Chief Minister. doing. at their Kalighat residence for an open minded discussion,” read Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Pant's letter to the doctors.
The doctors are currently holding a general body meeting after which they will decide whether they accept the invitation for talks or not.
“We trust that common sense will prevail, and as per mutual agreement and as per your statement to the media a day ago, there will be no live streaming or videography of the meeting, as the matter is pending before the Supreme Court. Instead, the minutes of the meeting will be recorded and signed by both parties.
The same delegation that was in talks with Banerjee for the final meeting at her residence on Saturday has been asked to reach the Bengal Chief Minister's residence at 4.45 pm.
“We look forward to your positive response and productive and fruitful discussions,” the letter added.
A delegation of protesting doctors met Mamata Banerjee at her residence on Saturday as they continued their protest demanding justice for the brutal rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at RG Kar Hospital. . This came after he paid a surprise visit to the protest site near Sustheo Bhawan on the same day and assured the doctors that their demands would be heeded.
Banerjee had asked the doctors to join the conversation as he stood by his demand to live stream the meeting. The talks did not go as planned, with Banerjee citing constraints regarding the live stream. He also invited them to his home for tea but they declined saying that they would just do it. Accept justice when you get it.
Live streaming of the meeting has been the main reason behind the month-long standoff between the two sides. On Saturday, Mamata Banerjee was disappointed by the delay in the talks. Told the doctors not to “insult” him.
The doctors, however, claimed that they were “unceremoniously” asked to leave on Saturday after waiting for three hours outside Banerjee's residence. He also claimed that he agreed to hold the meeting without live streaming, but on reporting this to state health minister Chandrima Bhattacharya, he was asked to leave as it was too late.
BJP took Mamata Banerjee with open arms.
BJP's IT cell chief Amit Malviya slammed the Banerjee-led Bengal government over the latest letter to the protesting doctors, calling it “full of threats”.
He also called the Bengal chief minister “evil” and warned the protesting doctors that she would “use this meeting for her political advantage.”
“This attempt by the Supreme Court to arrive before the hearing of the matter is yet another attempt to put a soft face before the court. 'Subjudice' as reason for rejection of live streaming/videography application ' to use is absolute. Smacks of trash and conspiracy,” he tweeted.