Will Rahul Gandhi ask Siddaramaiah to quit as well? asks Kunal Ghosh

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has launched a series of sharp attacks on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi following his criticism of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s government over the recent rape and murder of a junior doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Rahul Gandhi had expressed concern that attempts were being made to "save the accused" in the case, raising questions about the local administration's response.

In response, former TMC Rajya Sabha MP Kunal Ghosh took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to hit back at Gandhi. Ghosh shared a news article about Karnataka Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot granting sanction for the prosecution of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in an alleged land allotment scam and questioned Gandhi’s silence. "So, @RahulGandhi ji, will you ask your CM to resign? This is a gross allegation of corruption. Without having correct information about the WB incident, and without knowing the steps taken by @MamataOfficial, you commented on social media. Now, will you kindly take steps regarding your CM?" Ghosh tweeted.

Rahul Gandhi’s earlier post criticized the West Bengal government, suggesting that the administration was more focused on protecting the guilty than delivering justice to the victim. The Congress leader's remarks have added tension to the already complicated relationship between the Congress and the TMC, especially as both parties are part of the INDIA alliance in Parliament.

The incident in question involved the brutal assault and murder of a 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor, whose body was discovered in a seminar hall at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. The case, which has stirred widespread outrage, has been handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) by the Calcutta High Court. A hospital volunteer has been arrested in connection with the crime.

Rahul Gandhi’s criticism of Mamata Banerjee’s government has highlighted the delicate and sometimes strained alliance between the Congress and the TMC. While the TMC chose not to ally with the Congress in the last Lok Sabha elections, both parties have aligned with the broader INDIA coalition in the Parliament.