On Monday, April 7, the political atmosphere in West Bengal became significantly charged as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Leader of the Opposition (BJP) Suvendu Adhikari publicly clashed over the status of education workers and teachers whose jobs were terminated, purportedly despite being qualified. Both leaders offered contrasting assurances to the affected individuals.

Chief Minister’s Pledge and Accusations

Speaking at a gathering inside Kolkata’s Netaji Indoor Stadium, Chief Minister Banerjee promised her government’s complete support to those she identified as “deserving” among the terminated staff. During her address, she not only expressed solidarity but also sharply criticized both the CPI(M) and the BJP, accusing them of exploiting the situation for political gain.

Opposition Leader Engages Protesters

Coinciding with the conclusion of the Chief Minister’s event, a group of the dismissed teachers and staff found themselves near the State Assembly building. Suvendu Adhikari, who was conducting a press briefing nearby, approached the distressed group. He offered words of encouragement and proposed tangible legal support.

Offer of Legal Aid and Strategic Advice

Adhikari committed that the BJP legislative wing would fund legal representation for individuals who choose to file separate petitions before the Supreme Court, provided they submit their OMR sheets and academic qualifications as evidence. He specified that the legal costs would be covered using funds derived from the salaries of BJP MLAs. Furthermore, he advised the affected individuals to maintain their spirits and strongly cautioned them against accepting any temporary “voluntary service” roles offered by the government, deeming such arrangements a potential “trap.”

Questions Raised About Government Event

Addressing reports that many terminated staff felt excluded or unheard at the Netaji Indoor Stadium event, Adhikari directly challenged the Chief Minister’s approach. He questioned why promised interactions did not occur and highlighted the discrepancy between the large number of affected individuals (reportedly 26,000) and the smaller crowd present (estimated at 7,000), asking how the CM had determined this subset represented the solely “deserving” candidates without broader engagement.

Emotional Impact on Affected Staff

The profound distress experienced by the terminated personnel was evident, with several individuals becoming visibly emotional while speaking with the opposition leader. A widely shared image captured Adhikari consoling one of the affected persons. Complaints voiced to Adhikari included being denied the chance to speak at the CM’s event and difficulties even gaining entry to the stadium. While some appealed for intervention from the Prime Minister, Adhikari pointed out the limited jurisdiction of the central government in state-level recruitment matters.

Call for Protest and Further Political Reactions

Adhikari encouraged the group to participate in a planned protest march to Nabanna (the state secretariat) on April 21st, an event receiving indirect support from the BJP. He reiterated his plea for them to reject temporary job offers and remain united. Separately, BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar also affirmed the party’s commitment to providing legal and logistical help.

Skepticism from Left

The promises from the BJP leaders were met with cynicism from the Left. CPI(M) central committee member Sujan Chakraborty questioned Adhikari’s standing to make such offers, referencing Adhikari’s previous affiliation with the Trinamool Congress and alleged corruption links to East Midnapore during that period.

Uncertain Future amidst Political Wrangling

As the political exchanges continue, the future for the thousands of dismissed teachers and education staff remains deeply uncertain. They are currently caught between the conflicting promises of political leaders, the potential of further protests, and the complexities of the ongoing political dispute.