The Trinamool Congress (TMC)-led board at Dankuni Municipality in Hooghly district collapsed on Wednesday following the resignations of Chairman Hasina Shabnam and Vice-Chairman Prakash Raha, along with two other councillors. As the four leaders exited the municipality building, the assembled crowd shouted “chor, chor” (thief, thief), creating a chaotic scene.
This development in Dankuni adds to a broader crisis affecting the TMC across West Bengal in recent months after the Assembly Elections. In May, West Bengal Minister Agnimitra Paul criticized the Trinamool Congress, alleging that the absence of elected councilors from municipal offices across the state is disrupting basic civic services and impacting day-to-day administration. She described the councilors who have resigned or remained absent from office as “irresponsible” and accused them of neglecting public duties despite holding office for years.
The internal unrest within the Trinamool Congress is not limited to the municipal level. A rebel faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee recently announced an alternative leadership structure for the All India Trinamool Congress Committee, claiming support from a majority of the party’s MLAs. Ahead of this, heavy CRPF and Kolkata Police deployment occurred outside the party’s Metropolitan state office after reports emerged that the rebel group had taken control of the headquarters.
The takeover followed the dissident bloc’s petition to the Election Commission in New Delhi, asserting claims over the party’s name, funds, and twin-flower symbol. Accompanied by Firhad Hakim, Javed Khan, and Akhruzzaman, Banerjee entered the EM Bypass office, the party’s center of operations since 2022, to assert control. The rebels replaced signage and displayed a banner naming senior MLA Arup Roy as the new chairman instead of Mamata Banerjee. The faction stated that the building’s lease had expired and that a new agreement had been signed under their working committee.
This dramatic action provoked anger from supporters loyal to Mamata Banerjee, prompting senior leaders to stage protests and file emergency police complaints. Kolkata Police announced plans to verify the official ownership and lease documents of the building before authorizing regular political activities to resume. With these developments, the immediate contest has shifted to New Delhi.
Comments are closed.