Kolkata: The West Bengal Health Department on Monday carried out a major reshuffle in the West Bengal Medical Council by replacing all three state-nominated members who were appointed during the previous Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) government.

The three outgoing nominated members are Dr Nirmal Maji, Dr Sourav Pal and Dr Asim Kumar Sarkar. They have been replaced by Dr Pranat Tudu, Dr Kalyan Asish Mukhopadhyay and Dr Mrinmay Adhikari, according to an official notification issued by the Health Department.

Former TMC Leaders Replaced

Dr Nirmal Maji, a three-time TMC MLA from Uluberia (Uttar) in Howrah district and a former minister, lost the recent Assembly election to BJP candidate Chiran Bera. The newly appointed Dr Pranat Tudu is a first-time BJP MLA from Binpur in Jhargram district and had defeated former state minister Birbaha Hansda in the Assembly polls.

The newly nominated members are expected to assume charge shortly.

Council Faced Controversies During Previous Regime

The last elections to the West Bengal Medical Council were held in 2022 during the previous TMC government. Opposition parties had alleged widespread irregularities and demanded fresh elections, with Dr Nirmal Maji facing accusations over the conduct of the polls.

The Council also came under scrutiny over its handling of the R.G. Kar Medical College rape and murder case in 2024. Dr Maji had also faced criticism over allegations that dialysis facilities at a government hospital were used for a relative’s pet dog.

No Fresh Council Elections Likely

Although the BJP government has changed the state-nominated members, fresh elections to the Medical Council are unlikely as the current council’s term is still far from completion. The government has instead opted to replace only the nominated members as part of the administrative reshuffle.