Everything you need to know about Mamata Bannerjee: news, reviews, in-depth analysis, opinion and more
Mamata Bannerjee is one of the most influential political personalities in India with her background in the Indian state of West Bengal. Ms. Bannerjee being so revolutionary has done some courageous works in Indian parliament for the betterment of her home state. She was always willing for the development of her state being a great lover of her motherland. Born in 1955 in Calcutta and educated in Calcutta University, Bannerjee associated herself in politics in 1970s fighting for the Indian National Congress and won seats for many a times. She has worked as the union Railway minister in Atal Bihari Vajpayee?s BJP government with many achievements in Indian Railway. Bannerjee has won parliamentary polls in 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2004 polls with large majority. In 1991 Congress government during the prime minister ship of Narasimha Rao, Bannerjee has served as the respective member of the parliament. But got separated from congress in 1997 owing to the differences of opinion between them. The most controversial time of Banarjee?s reign in politics comes in 2008 when Ms. Bannarjee has been protesting and criticizing the faulty industrial plans of the Bhattacharya?s government due to which a large number of farmers have lost their land without pertinent compensation. The industrial units in Nandigram and Singur have displaced many farmers and the landowners whom government has not provided accurate rehabilitation. The agitation of Ms. Bannerjee is also much disputed owing to the irritation of the industrialists to set industry units in the place. Still Bannerjee has done many things for the welfare of her home state. Her own party Trinamool Congress which is regional political party with a less number of followers is going ahead to grab the majority of supports from the people.*
New Delhi, May 3 (ANI): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday afternoon.
New Delhi, May 3 (IANS) The Congress is hoping for the support of the Trinamool Congress in the presidential polls when West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee meets party chief Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh later Thursday.
Kolkata, May 2 (IANS) Continuing to rain sops on the minorities, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Wednesday announced Rs.1,000 monthly honorarium for muezzins of mosques.
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Kolkata, May 2 (IANS) Late filmmaker Satyajit Ray's son Sandip Ray said on his father's 92nd birth anniversary Wednesday that he will make a film on Professor Shonku, a character created by his father.
Kolkata, May 2 (IANS) It is West Bengal's right to seek a three-year moratorium on interest payments on central loans, said Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Wednesday, adding: "We are not beggars."
Kolkata, May 2 (IANS) With Congress looking for support for presidential polls, West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee was Wednesday tightlipped but said she will try to meet Congress president Sonia Gandhi to enquire about her health.
Kolkata, May 1 (IANS) With West Bengal celebrating May Day with a holiday Tuesday, the ruling Trinamool Congress and the opposition Left Front tried to use the occasion to consolidate their base among the labour class, which comprises a major vote share in the state.
Kolkata, April 30 (IANS) Former Lok Sabha member Anil Basu, who acquired infamy for his lewd comments against Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee ahead of the West Bengal assembly polls last year, has been suspended from the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M).
Kolkata, April 30 (IANS) US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's proposed meeting with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, coming soon after the latter was named one of the world's most influential people by the prestigious Time magazine, may help in removing the adverse feelings that exist in the state about American policies, say analysts. It may also result in increased American investment.
Kolkata, April 30 (IANS) US Ambassador to India Nancy Powell Monday had a 30-minute meeting with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, apparently to prepare the ground for US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's visit to the city next week.
Kolkata, April 29 (IANS) Stressing that people of Bangladesh wanted the Teesta water sharing accord signed with India, Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dipu Moni Sunday hoped the pact will be inked, saying the two countries were continuing discussions on the issue.
Howrah, April 29 (IANS) At least 10 people were killed and 10 others seriously injured Sunday when they were struck by lightning in a village in West Bengal's Howrah district.
Kolkata, April 29 (IANS) West Bengal Industries Minister Partha Chatterjee Sunday blamed the opposition Left Front and a section of teachers for trying to stop the developmental work in the state by spreading canards against the 11-month-old TMC-Congress government.
Kolkata, April 29 (IANS) West Bengal Industries Minister Partha Chatterjee Sunday blamed the opposition Left Front and the Maoists for trying to stop developmental work in the state by spreading canards against the 11-month-old TMC-Congress government.
Kolkata, April 28 (IANS) Fresh clashes broke out between evicted slum dwellers of Nonadanga and police personnel here Saturday, leaving several people injured.
Kolkata, April 27 (IANS) The CPI-M Friday took a dig at Prime Minister Manmohan Singh assuring Trinamool Congress (TMC) members of parliament over the financial crisis in West Bengal, saying only time will tell "who bails out whom" as both parties were having a tough time due to their "anti-people" policies.
Kolkata, April 27 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Friday reiterated her government's policy of not granting special economic zone (SEZ) status to Infosys -- all at a time when the central government is mulling revival of SEZs, especially those held up for years, reducing the minimum area requirement and dishing out tax concession.
Kolkata, April 27 (IANS) With US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton scheduled to visit Kolkata May 7, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Friday said she was happy that Hillary was visiting the city.
Kolkata, April 26 (IANS) Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen Thursday denied recommending Anjan Bhattacharya, who is facing prosecution for allegedly impersonating a relative of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, for a job in a state government company.
New Delhi, April 26 (IANS) Railway Minister Mukul Roy Thursday said he would take his Trinamool party chief Mamata Banerjee's Vision 2020 forward and deepen the agenda of inclusive growth.
Kolkata, April 26 (IANS) West Bengal's opposition Left Front (LF) Wednesday blamed the recent unrest in the Terai-Dooars region in the state's northern part to the "undue haste" of the Mamata Banerjee government to announce a solution to the long-standing problem of Darjeeling hills and its adjoining plains.
Kolkata, April 24 (IANS) With the Mamata Banerjee government drawing flak for many of its actions, the ruling Trinamool Congress Tuesday claimed there was a malicious campaign against her, fuelled by jealousy against her administration's achievements.
Chief Minister of West Bengal and Trinamool Congress Chief Mamata Banerjee, who is well known for threatening the government first and soften later, has once again has come on the backtrack and said a section of media has distorted my statement..........
The second half of the budget session is set to begin today in both houses of the Parliament, and the opposition is eyeing to take on the UPA government on the edge. There are many issues on which BJP and other opposition parties can corner the government.........
Kolkata, Apr 23 (IANS) Three days after issuing a 15-day ultimatum to the central government for accepting the state's demand for a moratorium on interest re-payment, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee blamed a section of media for distorting the facts and clarified that it was not an ultimatum but an appeal.
Kolkata, April 23 (IANS) West Bengal opposition leader Surya Kanta Mishra Monday citicised the Mamata Banerjee regime over the ongoing violence in the Terai and Dooars regions, saying the government should show a "positive attitude" to resolve the problem.
Guwahati, April 23 (IANS) Following in the footsteps of his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has said his government would soon have its own news channel to showcase developmental activities across the state.
New Delhi, Apr 23 (ANI): Leaders of various political outfits on Monday gave a mixed response to Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar's suggestion that the president of the country should be a non-political person, saying a final decision on the issue would be taken only after consultations.
Darjeeling, April 23 (IANS) Violent clashes and arson marked an indefinite shutdown in northern West Bengal's Terai and Dooars regions called from Monday by a faction of the Akhil Bharatiya Adivasi Vikash Parishad (ABAVP) and supported by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM).
Kolkata, April 23 (IANS) The railway ministry had constraints but was financially self- sufficient unlike other ministries that look for central aid, Railway Minister Mukul Roy said Monday.
New Delhi, Apr 23 (ANI): Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Shahid Siddiqui on Monday welcomed Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar's suggestion that the president of the country should be a non-political person, and said his party would definitely back Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam if there is a consensus on his name.
Washington, April 22 (IANS) Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee has asked a government panel to look into West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's ultimatum to the centre for a moratorium on the cash strapped state's interest payments.
New Delhi, Apr 22 (ANI): The Congress Party on Sunday refused to comment on the 15-day deadline issued by West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee to the Centre to announce debt relief for her state.
Amritsar, Apr 22 (ANI): Claiming the 15-day deadline issued by the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to the central government as a 'legitimate right', Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Arun Jaitley on Sunday urged the Congress party to consider her demand.
Darjeeling, April 22 (IANS) The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) Sunday called for a boycott of all future meetings of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and North Bengal Development Minister Goutam Deb in the Darjeeling hills.
Darjeeling, April 22 (IANS) The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) Sunday called for a boycott of all future meetings of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and North Bengal Development Minister Goutam Deb in the Darjeeling hills.
Kolkata, April 22 (IANS) Soon after taking over the reins of West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had referred to the plight of travellers - particularly women - on the highways, which have a negligible number of public toilets. Eleven months into office, her government has embarked on a massive project to ease the problem.
New Delhi, April 21 (IANS) Playing down the ultimatum of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for a moratorium on interest payment burden of the state, the Congress Saturday said the central government will have a "constructive approach" towards such demands.
Kolkata, April 21 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Saturday said the government is thinking about launching a state-owned news channel and bringing out a magazine to highlight achievements of the officials.
Kolkata, Apr 21 (ANI): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday said she would start a television channel and a newspaper to cater to the needs of the state government.
Kolkata, April 21 (IANS) As the West Bengal police booked a university professor for forwarding a cartoon mail on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the state CID asked Facebook to delete some morphed images of her, Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid Saturday said social media had become a reality and there were very restricted opportunities to impose constraints on that.
Kolkata, April 21 (IANS) After instituting Krishi Ratna award for best farmer in a block, the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government Saturday declared an award for bureaucrats putting up a good performance.
Kolkata, April 21 (IANS) Reiterating her demand for an interest moratorium for the cash-strapped West Bengal government, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Saturday gave the central government a 15-day ultimatum and warned that its "indifferent attitude" could become a "big issue".
Taking a tough stance, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banarjee has hinted that state is not in the position for its survival
Kolkata, April 21 (IANS) In a stern warning to the Congress-led union government, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Saturday said it has to accept West Bengal's demand for a tax moratorium for the next three years.
Kolkata, April 20 (IANS) Coming down heavily on West Bengal's Mamata Banerjee government for "intolerance" of criticism and "vindictiveness" against political opponents, the Communist Party of India Friday said it would raise these issues at the national level.
Kolkata, April 20 (IANS) Ridiculing West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's claim that her government has completed most of its tasks in its very first year, Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader Surjya Kanta Mishra Friday said after having sent the railways to the ICU as railway minister, she was now doing the same to the state.
Kolkata, April 20 (IANS) Amid regular reports of crib deaths in West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Friday claimed there has been a fall in the number of infant deaths in the state.
Kolkata, April 20 (IANS) The Vishwa Hindu Parishad(VHP) Friday said it would launch a campaign in West Bengal demanding monthly honorariums to Hindu priests and unemployed youth to protest against the Mamata Banerjee-led government's decision to pay honorariums of Rs.2,500 to imams.
Kolkata, April 18 (IANS) Even days after the arrest of a Jadavpur University professor for circulating cartoons involving West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the city continued to be rocked by protests and counter protests by pro and anti government factions.
Kolkata, April 18 (IANS) Time magazine has listed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as one of the 100 most influential people in the world in its list for 2012, sharing space with the likes of US President Barack Obama and billionaire investor Warren Buffet.
New Delhi, April 18 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is not acting in a mature manner by cracking down on her critics and must learn to take criticism in her stride, said Press Council of India (PCI) chairperson Markandey Katju Wednesday.
Kolkata, April 18 (IANS) Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader Surya Kanta Mishra Wednesday likened the rule of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to the "semi fascist regime" in the state in the 1970s.
New Delhi, April 17 (IANS) More than 50 intellectuals have expressed 'dismay over the spiralling descent into irrationality' of the West Bengal government following Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's directives to libraries to subscribe to particular newspapers and the arrest of a Jadavpur University professor for posting her caricatures on internet.
Kolkata, April 17 (IANS) Days after a Jadavpur University professor's arrest for circulating cartoons targeting West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, state Food Supplies Minister Jyotipriyo Mullick has asked party workers to socially boycott CPI-M workers and "learn to hate them".
Kolkata, April 17 (IANS) Causing more embarrassment to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is drawing flak over the arrest of a professor for circulating cartoons, singer-turned-Trinamool Congress MP Kabir Suman has composed a song, "Hasi Niye Thako" (Live with a smile), mocking the state government.
New Delhi, Apr 16 (ANI): Communist Party of India (CPI) lawmaker D. Raja on Monday said West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee should have attended the annual conference of chief ministers on internal security called by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.
Question: Why did Mamata Banerjee cross the road?
A crucial meet of Chief Ministers of all states is set to begin today in New Delhi for discussing on country's internal security concern and strengthening intelligence capabilities and border securities......
The Trinamool Congress Chief and Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee is likely to skip a crucial meeting on National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), an internal security meeting convened by Home Minister P Chidambaram on Monday, sources say........
Kutch (Gujarat), Apr 15 (ANI): Reacting to the arrest of a Jadavpur University professor in Kolkata for posting a cartoon of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on the internet, former Railways Minister and TMC leader Dinesh Trivedi today said cartoons were meant for enjoyment.
New Delhi, Apr 15 (ANI): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will not attend the Chief Ministers' conference convened at New Delhi by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday to discuss matters relating to internal security.
Kolkata, April 15 (IANS) An issue a day keeps boredom at bay - this could well be the guiding principle of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee these days. How else does one explain her government regularly dishing out controversies on a platter to her political opponents?
Kolkata, April 14 (IANS) Assaulted and forced to spend almost a night in jail for allegedly circulating 'defamatory' cartoons targeting Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Jadavpur University professor Ambikesh Mahapatra is now apprehensive about his own and his family's security.
Kolkata, April 14 (IANS) First a ban on certain newspapers and now the arrest of a professor for allegedly circulating a cartoon targeting Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. People in West Bengal Saturday expressed outrage over the state government's latest move, with some even wondering if it was "a move towards censorship and partial fascism".
New Delhi, Apr 14 (ANI): Stating that there always has to be space for dissent in a democratic set up, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday condemned the brutal assault on Jadavpur University professor Ambikesh Mahapatra over a cartoon that shows West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee along with Railway Minister Mukul Roy planning how to get rid of TMC MP Dinesh Trivedi.
Kolkata, April 14 (IANS) First a ban on certain newspapers and now the arrest of a professor for allegedly circulating a cartoon targetting Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Is it "a move towards censorship and partial fascism" by the state government or is the arrest justified "to stop spread of malicious and slanderous campaign" - opinion in West Bengal is divided.
Kolkata, April 13 (IANS) A Jadavpore University professor was arrested for allegedly circulating defamatory cartoons of some Trinamool Congress leaders including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, attracting widespread criticism from all quarters.
Kolkata, April 13 (IANS) A Jadavpore University professor, arrested for allegedly circulating defamatory cartoons of some Trinamool Congress leaders including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Friday claimed he had sent the mail for "pure fun" to his friends.
Kolkata, April 13 (IANS) "Extreme violation of freedom of expression" and reminiscent of the Emergency days were among the barrage of angry comments made on Twitter, including by exiled Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen, following the West Bengal government arresting a Jadavpur University professor for circulating cartoons of some ruling Trinamool Congress leaders, including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Kolkata, April 13 (IANS) A Jadavpore University professor was arrested early Friday for allegedly circulating defamatory cartoons of some Trinamool Congress leaders including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, attracting widespread criticism from all quarters.
New Delhi, April 13 (IANS) The central government will meet all state chief ministers Monday to discuss internal security challenges and measures to tackle them, particularly the threats posed by terrorism and Left-wing extremism.
Kolkata, April 13 (IANS) No laughing matter, this. A Jadavpore University professor was arrested here early Friday for allegedly circulating defamatory cartoons of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and some other Trinamool Congress leaders.
Kolkata, April 13 (IANS) A Jadavpore University professor was arrested early Friday for allegedly circulating defamatory cartoons of some Trinamool Congress leaders, including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, police said.
Kolkata, April 12 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Thursday presented the maiden 'Mahasangeet Samman' and 'Sangeet Samman' to 18 well-known singers at the inauguration of an annual eight-day music fair here.
Kolkata, April 12 (IANS) Upset over various incidents ranging from the Park Street rape case to attack on human rights organisations, intellectuals of Kolkata, including a Trinamool Congress MP, Thursday hit the streets in protest against the 11-month-old Trinamool regime in the state.
Kolkata, April 9 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Monday said her government did not regard Karl Marx or Frederich Engels as "untouchables", in the backdrop of a recommendation made by a syllabus committee to trim the "over presence" of their political philosophy in history text books at the higher secondary level.
Kolkata, April 9 (IANS) The swearing-in ceremony of seven new judges of the Calcutta High Court had to be deferred by several hours Monday, leading to a blame game as to who was responsible.
Kolkata, April 9 (IANS) The swearing-in ceremony of seven new judges of the Calcutta High Court had to be deferred by several hours Monday as West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had not signed the required papers.
Kolkata, April 9 (IANS) With an eye on next year's panchayat polls, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Monday announced several sops, including loans and recognition of 10,000 madrassas, for the state's Muslim community.
Kolkata, April 6 (IANS) A school education syllabus committee, appointed by the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government, has decided to trim heady doses of Marxism and include globalisation, movement of former South African president Nelson Mandela and contemporary women's movement in the new history syllabus for Higher Secondary students.
New Delhi, April 4 (IANS) With most political parties at Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's all-party meet on March 23 in favour of separating the institution of Lokayuktas in states from the much debated bill to set up a Lokpal, the cabinet has to now take a call on the issue.
Kolkata, April 3 (IANS) Raising the pitch for next year's panchayat elections in West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Tuesday announced pro-minority sops including a monthly honorarium for Imams.
New Delhi, April 3 (IANS) Giving in to the demands of most of the non-Congress ruled states, Home Minister P. Chidambaram Tuesday said that the government will hold a meeting of chief ministers on May 5 to discuss setting up of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC).
New Delhi, April 3 (IANS) Giving in to the demands of most of the non-Congress ruled states, Home Minister P. Chidambaram Tuesday said that the government will hold a meeting of chief ministers on May 5 to discuss setting up of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC).
Following the direction of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and giving in to the demands of most of the non-Congress ruled states, Home Minister P. Chidambaram Tuesday....
New Delhi, April 3 (IANS) Giving in to the demands of most of the non-Congress ruled states, Home Minister P. Chidambaram Tuesday said that the government will hold a meeting of chief ministers on May 5 to discuss setting up of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC).
New Delhi, Apr.3 (ANI): The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, has reportedly agreed to have a separate meeting with chief ministers on the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) issue.
New Delhi, Apr 2 (ANI): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday said the Prime Minister of the country must have the potential to ensure a smooth functioning of the government, and such an individual being a member of the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha was of least relevance.
Kolkata, April 1 (IANS) Dubbing the West Bengal government's order asking state-run and state-funded libraries to stock only specific newspapers as "most partial and undemocratic", the Congress Sunday urged Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to immediately withdraw the order.
Kolkata, April 1 (IANS) A West Bengal minister Sunday defended the government's order to its libraries to stock only specific newspapers for promoting "free thinking" and said only pro-government dailies will be given preference.
Kolkata, April 1 (IANS) Even as the gap between the Congress and the Trinamool Congress has been widening on various issues, union Finance Minister and Congress stalwart Pranab Mukherjee Sunday hailed West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool supremo Mamata Banerjee for "responding" to aspirations and expectations of the people.
Kolkata, April 1 (IANS) The Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government Sunday once again raised its demand for settling its debts, with a minister of the cash-starved state urging union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee to bail it out of its huge burden.
New Delhi, April 1 (IANS) The compulsions of coalition politics were more than evident in the first half of parliament's budget session and analysts feel the going will be equally sombre in the coming days.
Kolkata, Apr 1 (ANI): Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday said that West Bengal's unorganised industry sector has grown faster than registered industry adding that the segment holds vast potential for further industrial development in the state.
Kolkata, Apr 1 (IANS) Recent developments suggest that West Bengal is emerging as the new investment destination, union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said Sunday.
Kolkata, March 31 (IANS) Criticising the West Bengal government's move to ban leading dailies in state-funded libraries to promote "free thinking" among readers, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress Saturday said a government has no right to decide what people should read.
New Delhi, March 31 (IANS) Amid strident opposition from some of the non-Congress ruled states, Home Minister P. Chidambaram Saturday indicated that the annual meeting of chief ministers on April 16 may be extended to discuss setting up of a National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) and welcomed debate on the issue.
Kolkata, March 31 (IANS) Amid reports of a large number of rape cases across West Bengal, a delegation of National Commission for Women (NCW) is scheduled to visit Kolkata April 2 to meet government officials.
Kolkata, March 30 (IANS) The West Bengal assembly Friday witnessed noisy scenes over a bill that seeks to restructure the state medical council, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accusing the opposition Left Front of trying to disrupt proceedings in a 'concerted' manner.