Political Turmoil in Bengal: Bidhannagar Mayor Resigns Following Kolkata Mayor’s Departure

In a surprising turn of events, Krishna Chakraborty, the mayor of Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation and a prominent leader of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), announced her resignation on Thursday. This development follows closely behind the resignation of Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim, who stepped down just a day prior. Chakraborty stated that her decision to resign was due to ‘personal reasons’ as mentioned in her letter to the municipal commissioner.

Chakraborty, a long-time ally of TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, emphasized that although she would no longer hold the mayoral position, she remains committed to serving as a councillor. She also expressed concerns about the functionality of the civic board since the recent governmental shift in West Bengal, reflecting the challenges faced by the TMC in the current political landscape.

The resignations come at a time when the TMC is grappling with significant internal strife following its defeat in the West Bengal Assembly elections, which ended a 15-year governance period. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s recent victory has not only disrupted TMC’s rule but has also led to burgeoning dissent within the party ranks. Notably, expelled MLA Ritabrata Banerjee has claimed that a faction of 58 out of the party’s 80 legislators has formed a legislature wing in the Assembly, posing a direct challenge to Banerjee’s leadership.

This internal division is further compounded by the TMC’s decision to dissolve all its committees and organizational units across the state. The party leadership has announced plans for a comprehensive review of its operational effectiveness and organizational structure, indicating a critical reassessment amidst growing dissatisfaction among party members and supporters. The struggle for supremacy within the party mirrors the larger political instability that has gripped West Bengal following the recent electoral upheaval.

As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how these developments will affect the TMC’s future and its standing among the electorate. The party, once viewed as a formidable force in West Bengal, now faces the daunting task of reuniting its fractured ranks while addressing the concerns of its constituents in a rapidly changing political environment.

Source: scroll.in