Kolkata, 2 Sept

TMC has announced a boycott of three television news channels, accusing them of pursuing an "anti-Bengal agenda-driven propaganda" against the West Bengal government. The channels in question are ABP Ananda, Republic TV, and TV9.

In a statement released by the party, the TMC expressed its disapproval of the channels' coverage, claiming they were engaged in a campaign to discredit the state government.

The decision to boycott comes in the wake of a heated debate on television between BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul and TMC MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar. During the exchange, Dastidar made controversial remarks about Paul, referring to her as a ‘saree-maker’ and criticizing past CPM-era practices involving medical students. The comments were met with significant backlash, leading Dastidar to issue a public apology on social media

The backdrop to this controversy is the recent outrage over the brutal rape and murder of a junior doctor at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata. The incident has sparked widespread protests from doctors and students and intensified calls for the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee from BJP.  -Agencies