NEW DELHI: In a significant development for the Trinamool Congress (TMC), senior leader Firhad Hakim resigned as mayor of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) on Wednesday. Hakim had held the position since November 2018. The announcement was made by party spokesperson Kunal Ghosh during a press briefing in Kolkata.
Resignation Details
According to Ghosh, Hakim requested party supremo Mamata Banerjee to allow him to step down. He sought a dignified exit as the state government was effectively rendering the corporation defunct. Ghosh stated, "Until now, Mamata Banerjee had not granted permission. However, after today's administrative meeting at Nabanna, it became clear that the corporation has effectively been made defunct. In view of this situation, and to ensure that his dignity and stature are maintained, Mamata Banerjee has today permitted him to resign."
Hakim, popularly known as "Bobby," is a four-time MLA from the Kolkata Port assembly constituency and a close aide of Mamata Banerjee.
TMC Factional Turmoil
The resignation comes on a day when the TMC inched closer to a split. The assembly Speaker recognized Ritabrata Banerjee, a rebel faction leader, as the leader of the opposition. After the party's defeat in the recent assembly elections, where it lost power after 15 years, the TMC had appointed veteran leader Sovandeb Chattopadhyay as the leader of opposition. However, the rebel faction opposed this move, alleging that their signatures were forged on documents supporting Chattopadhyay's appointment.
The rebel faction reportedly comprises 59 of the TMC's 80 MLAs. In the West Bengal assembly elections, held on April 23 and 29, the BJP won 207 seats in the 294-member House, forming its first government in the state.
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