The Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation (BMC) civic board was dissolved on Saturday, and municipal commissioner Ravi Agarwal assumed the role of administrator. This development follows the resignation of BMC mayor Krishna Chakraborty on Thursday, citing personal reasons and difficulties in providing civic services under the current circumstances.
Dissolution Order and Administrator Appointment
Additional chief secretary Khalil Ahmed issued the order dissolving the civic board with immediate effect under sub section (1) of Section 60 of the West Bengal Municipal Corporation Act, 2006. The appointment of the BMC commissioner as administrator is valid for a period not exceeding six months or until new councillors are elected, whichever is earlier. Bidhannagar MLA Sharadwat Mukherjee confirmed to the Times of India on Saturday evening that commissioner Ravi Agarwal is now the administrator.
Background of BMC Crisis
The Trinamool Congress-run BMC was formed in 2015 when the earlier Bidhannagar municipality was upgraded to a municipal corporation. The previous Rajarhat Gopalpur municipality was dissolved, and its area was merged with Salt Lake to form the BMC. The civic body has faced a crisis since the BJP formed the new government in Bengal, with four out of its 41 councillors arrested on charges including extortion and intimidation. Several other councillors have sought court protection against arrest. Amid this turmoil, Krishna Chakraborty resigned as mayor, stating that most civic functions were stalled, making it difficult to carry out daily operations and provide essential services.
Kolkata Municipal Corporation Likely to Get Administrator
At the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), the Mayor-in-Council automatically dissolved after mayor Firhad Hakim resigned on Friday. An administrator is expected to be appointed to oversee the civic body's functioning until civic elections are held. According to a KMC official, after Hakim's resignation, municipal commissioner Smita Pandey held marathon meetings with senior legal officers to devise a plan to keep the corporation running without a mayor. Although the deputy mayor can temporarily take charge in the mayor's absence, the state administration's mood suggests an administrator will likely take charge early next week. Another official noted that with monsoon approaching, the state is expected to act swiftly, and Pandey could be assigned the administrator role. A letter from the state municipal affairs department to the KMC commissioner on Friday fueled speculation about the appointment. However, a Trinamool Congress leader stated that since the party still holds a majority in KMC, the central leadership may field a new mayor to replace the outgoing one.
Current Strength and Situation
The KMC has 144 wards, with the Trinamool Congress holding 137 councillors. Currently, eight councillors have been arrested, resigned, named in FIRs, or are on the run. The BMC has 41 wards, all with Trinamool councillors. Four BMC councillors have been arrested, and mayor Krishna Chakraborty has resigned.
