The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) crisis intensified on Friday as civic body chairperson Mala Roy led a team of Trinamool councillors to conduct the KMC monthly meeting at the councillors' club room, rejecting a postponement notice issued by outgoing municipal secretary Swapan Kumar Kundu. This marked the first time in KMC history that the House was held outside the traditional Council Chamber.
Allegations of Obstruction
Roy alleged that despite requesting incumbent municipal secretary Kishore Kumar Biswas to arrange the House in the Council Chamber, he did not direct the caretaker of the civic headquarters to unlock it. Consequently, Roy decided to hold the meeting at the councillors' club, where an adjournment motion was brought by Trinamool councillor Sanghita Das, condemning the "whimsical decisions" taken by municipal commissioner Smita Pandey, which allegedly hamper the democratic fabric of the civic board and its elected representatives. The motion was accepted by all 90 Trinamool councillors present at the meeting. Roy later filed a complaint at New Market Police Station for "illegal restraint of the House."
Mayor's Criticism
Mayor Firhad Hakim criticized the municipal commissioner for taking undemocratic decisions. "What happened on Friday was an insult to the board and our elected councillors," he said. Hakim expressed hope that the Trinamool board would be allowed to function normally. "We would like to work together with the government for citizens' benefit. The monsoon is approaching, and we are yet to start the special de-silting drive. If the stalemate continues, we cannot prevent flooding of streets in the rains," he warned.
Deputy Mayor and Other Reactions
Deputy mayor Atin Ghosh felt that the municipal commissioner was overstepping and creating a stalemate that hindered the civic board's functioning. MMiC Baiswanor Chatterjee noted that the KMC Act (1980) grants absolute power to the mayor, under whose direction the municipal commissioner exercises administrative authority. "We are shocked that the municipal commissioner is not following KMC rules," he said.
Attempts by The Times of India to reach Pandey for comment were unsuccessful, as calls and messages went unanswered.
Political Blame Game
Municipal affairs minister Agnimitra Paul and BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya blamed Trinamool functionaries in KMC for the House fiasco. While Paul accused TMC councillors of harassing Kishore Kumar Biswas, Bhattacharya dismissed any attempt to destabilize the civic board. "We will hold elections at the right time and Trinamool will be defeated in KMC," he asserted. "Trinamool councillors created a ruckus," said BJP MLA Sajal Ghosh.
