Govt feels it is relatively better placed to answer tough questions on how the pandemic is being managed in Bengal
Meghdeep Bhattacharyya: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee has convened an all-party meeting at 3pm on Wednesday, the first since March 23, to discuss the Covid-19 situation in Bengal.
The announcement on Monday came at a time her government feels it is relatively better placed to answer tough questions on how the pandemic is being managed in Bengal.
The meeting at state secretariat Nabanna is likely to include the chief minister, Assembly Speaker Biman Banerjee and representatives of all legislative parties in the state.
Mamata personally called up BJP state unit chief Dilip Ghosh, Left Front chairman Biman Bose and leader of the Opposition Abdul Mannan, among others, for the meeting.
The rising recovery rate among Covid-19 patients in Bengal seems to have given the government confidence.
Insiders say Mamata, who was dismissive of the Opposition’s demands for such a meeting these past couple of months, now has the facts and figures to counter possible criticism of Bengal’s Covid management at the meeting likely to be televised live.
BJP’s Ghosh said: “She did call me up…We will raise the many, many concerns the people have, especially with regard to corruption by Trinamul even during this time.”
Left leader Sujan Chakraborty said they would offer constructive suggestions.
“We have differences of opinion with the state government and are critical of its Covid-19 management. But that is exactly why we must attend the meeting and play a positive role. Because our commitment is to the people of the state,” said Jadavpur MLA Chakraborty.
The Congress’s Manoj Chakraborty, the Opposition chief whip in the Assembly, also hoped the government would be open to suggestions.
“This needs to be more than yet another meet-and-greet over tea that amounts to precious little for the people,” said the Behrampore MLA.
