Kolkata: Efforts are underway to appoint an administrator at the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation (BMC) following the resignation of Mayor Krishna Chakraborty on Thursday. Chakraborty stepped down citing personal reasons and difficulties in carrying out civic duties in the current scenario.
MLA Seeks Chief Minister's Intervention
Bidhannagar MLA Sharadwat Mukherjee stated on Friday that he will discuss the matter with the Chief Minister to find a solution to the stalemate. Mukherjee emphasized that with many councillors unreachable, an administrator is needed urgently to run the civic body. He said, “The Bidhannagar civic body is without a head now. We need to have a head very soon. If elected representation is not possible, a nominated person should take charge. Until then, the commissioner will continue to manage the administration, and I will assist him with all available resources.” The MLA has been frequently visiting the BMC headquarters to discuss civic issues with the commissioner and other officials.
Resignation and Its Aftermath
Chakraborty resigned as mayor on Thursday, stating that she was unable to properly manage the daily operations of the civic body. She mentioned increasing difficulties in providing civic services under the changed circumstances and expressed discomfort continuing in the role. Following her resignation, the corporation is functioning without an elected head.
Procedure for Appointing New Mayor
Civic officials explained that councillors can approach the chairperson or commissioner to convene a meeting to nominate a councillor as the next mayor. However, no such request has been made so far. BMC Chairperson Sabyasachi Dutta confirmed that none of the councillors have approached him regarding the mayoral position. “A councillors' meeting can be called by the commissioner and conducted by the chairperson. No councillor has approached me to become the mayor yet,” Dutta said.
Residents' Concerns
Residents have expressed dissatisfaction with the civic infrastructure during Chakraborty's seven-year tenure, citing issues like broken roads, dysfunctional streetlights, and inadequate waste collection in Salt Lake. The leadership vacuum adds to the challenges faced by the municipality.
As the situation develops, all eyes are on the state government's decision to appoint an administrator or facilitate the election of a new mayor to ensure smooth functioning of the civic body.
