Is Abhishek Banerjee Upset With Mamata Over Transfer Of RG Kar College Ex-Principal?

If sources are to be believed, a rift has reportedly emerged between West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her nephew, Trinamool Congress's General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee, over the handling of the transfer of Dr. Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College.

This transfer followed protests over the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor at the hospital, reported India Today.

Abhishek Banerjee has distanced himself from the controversy, notably choosing not to participate in Mamata Banerjee's rallies and padyatras demanding swift action from the CBI, which is investigating the case.

Sources close to Abhishek suggest that he is upset over the suspension and subsequent plum posting of Dr. Ghosh at Calcutta National Medical College.

He reportedly believes that Mamata Banerjee, known for her clean image, did not take strong enough action against alleged corrupt practices at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

A group of doctors close to Mamata Banerjee, perceived to support Dr. Ghosh, is under scrutiny for alleged corruption, with Abhishek feeling a ruthless approach was necessary to maintain the party's image.

Following an attack on the hospital by miscreants on August 14, Abhishek Banerjee took swift action by calling the Police Commissioner, highlighting the urgency, unlike his aunt's relatively measured response.

In contrast, Mamata Banerjee has blamed the factional feud on Santanu Sen, a former Rajya Sabha MP close to Abhishek Banerjee, whom she removed from positions within the NRS Hospital's patients' committee and the party's spokesperson role.

Mamata Banerjee has questioned her nephew's lack of active involvement in the crisis, suggesting that he should participate in rallies and demonstrate responsibility.

Meanwhile, Abhishek Banerjee is set to leave for New York for eye surgery in mid-September, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.

The differences between Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee are reminiscent of past conflicts within the CPI-M regime, where disagreements between leaders like Jyoti Basu and Promod Dasgupta were famously described as conflicts between the state government's Writers' Building headquarters and the party's Alimuddin Street headquarters. Today, these internal rifts are playing out between the government headquarters at Nabanna and Abhishek's office at Camac Street.

Background of the Kolkata Rape-Murder Case:

The trainee doctor, a second-year postgraduate student, was found dead in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9, triggering nationwide protests.

Sanjoy Roy, a civic volunteer with Kolkata Police, was arrested in connection with the case, now being handled by the CBI. Demonstrations by resident doctors and others have called for action against the culprits and measures to improve the safety of doctors at their workplaces.

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court criticized the West Bengal government over lapses in the case, including delays in filing an FIR.