Kolkata: Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday declared that elections to the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) will be conducted by December this year. This announcement signals the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government's intention to restore an elected civic board, just days after dissolving the Trinamool Congress (TMC)-controlled body and the resignation of Mayor Firhad Hakim.
Administrative Deadlock Led to Dissolution
Addressing a programme at the KMC headquarters, Adhikari stated that the corporation was currently under an administrator due to an "administrative deadlock," and that elected representatives would return through polls within the year, as reported by news agency PTI. The announcement coincided with the launch of Swachhatake Swagat, a city-wide cleanliness drive ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's proposed visit to Kolkata for the International Yoga Day event at Red Road.
"There was an impasse in the Kolkata Municipal Corporation after the mayor's resignation. So the government gave three days to constitute a new board. Since they could not form it, the government dissolved the board and appointed an administrator. By December, through elections, the civic body will be handed over to elected representatives," Adhikari said at the programme.
Former Mayor Shares Stage
Adhikari shared the stage with former mayor Firhad Hakim, TMC MP Mala Roy, MLA Sandeepan Saha, and several former civic functionaries who until recently held key positions in the TMC-run corporation, PTI reported. "KMC services are like emergency services. Elections will be conducted by the first week of December. We wanted the existing party (TMC), which has the majority, to form a new board after the mayor resigned. But if their party can't decide who the mayor will be, what can the state government do?" he said.
First Official Visit to Civic Headquarters
The visit marked Adhikari's first official programme at the civic headquarters after assuming office as chief minister, and came amid increased activity within the corporation following its dissolution last week. Officials said senior officers had been instructed to remain prepared with updates on departmental functioning, civic services, and monsoon preparedness. Indications have been given that the chief minister could review the city's readiness ahead of the rainy season.
Political Landscape Shift
The political landscape in West Bengal has seen major changes over the past six weeks. The BJP's victory in the assembly elections, the results of which were declared on May 4, ended the TMC's 15-year rule in the state and was followed by resignations from several civic bodies across West Bengal, PTI reported. The KMC entered uncharted territory after Hakim resigned as mayor on June 5 following consultations with TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee.
After the mandatory 72-hour period elapsed without the election of a successor, the municipal affairs department dissolved the corporation and appointed senior IAS officer Smita Pandey as administrator until fresh elections are held. The government order stated that all councillors, members of the mayor-in-council, committee members, and the chairperson would vacate office in accordance with provisions of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation Act, 1980.
