'Can't keep insulting me like this': Mamata Banerjee tells junior doctors after another failed meeting

Kolkata, July 20 (IANS): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday told striking junior doctors that she wouldn't tolerate being "insulted" as she sought to end their nine-day-long agitation against the National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill.

"One can't keep insulting me like this. If someone thinks he or she is insulting me by doing this (striking work), then she is wrong. I will resign," Banerjee said addressing a press meet at the state secretariat Nabanna.

Banerjee's comments came after a failed meeting with representatives of the striking doctors, who remained adamant on their demands -- withdrawal of the NMC Bill and unconditional release of those arrested. The agitating doctors, however, refrained from saying much about Banerjee's threat to step down.

"It is her wish. We have not asked her to resign. We are not blackmailing her. But the issues that we have raised are genuine and need to be addressed," the striking doctors said.

Banerjee's comments came after she met a 12-member delegation of the striking junior doctors for nearly an hour in the presence of Health Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya, Education Minister Partha Chatterjee and Chief Secretary Rajiva Sinha.

Sources said the Chief Minister told the striking doctors that she was ready to consider their demand for withdrawal of cases against those arrested during the agitation, but refused to budge from her stand on the NMC Bill. She also accused the striking doctors of being "adamant" and "unreasonable".

The junior doctors, however, said they were not adamant and were ready to consider the government's proposal, provided the NMC Bill was withdrawn. They also said that they would not withdraw their strike till their demands were met.

The NMC Bill, which seeks to replace the Medical Council of India (MCI), has been opposed by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and other medical bodies, who fear it will lead to commercialisation of medical education and practice.