Kolkata witnessed a fresh spate of resignations by Trinamool Congress office-bearers on Wednesday, shaking the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC). Borough XII chairman Sushanta Ghosh resigned, and party spokesperson and councillor Arup Chakraborty stepped down from his post as a KMC accounts committee member.
MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar Continues Tirade
Barasat MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar escalated her criticism by sending another letter to Trinamool president Subrata Bakshi, resigning from all party posts. However, she clarified that she is not leaving the party. Former minister and singer Indranil Sen announced he would no longer participate in electoral politics.
BJP Calls for Early Municipal Polls
Following the earlier resignation of 127 councillors from 11 civic boards, the Bengal BJP indicated that conducting municipal polls at the earliest was becoming imminent, as several municipalities have turned non-functional.
According to rules, KMC councillors, borough chairpersons, and MMiCs must send their resignations to the mayor. However, with Mayor Firhad Hakim absent from KMC headquarters, Ghosh and Chakraborty sent their resignation letters to the KMC chairperson, municipal commissioner, and municipal secretary.
Reasons for Resignations
Explaining his decision during a party crisis, Ghosh cited the people's mandate and the leadership's failure to control certain high-profile ministers and functionaries. He pointed out that those once seen in 10-car convoys are now missing when it comes to protecting grassroots Trinamool workers from post-poll violence. 'Where have the high-profile leaders gone? We are with the party and will stand by our workers if they are attacked or arrested,' he said.
Chakraborty criticized the growing 'VVIP' culture within Trinamool, questioning the lifestyles of certain functionaries after the poll defeat. The resignations began with Debalina Biswas, Borough IX chairperson, who alleged she was held responsible by some party functionaries for the KMC's decision to paste notices on Abhishek Banerjee's properties. MMiC Tarak Singh has twice skipped meetings convened by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Dastidar's Letter
Ghosh Dastidar, a four-time MP, continued her pressure. 'My conscience is deeply disturbed,' she wrote, referring to allegations of ration scam, recruitment irregularities, and financial and administrative improprieties that have generated 'anger and distrust' among people. An alumna of RG Kar Medical College, she referred to the rape and murder on campus and an alleged cover-up, saying the episode 'personally shook' her. She also took a swipe at an unnamed Trinamool MP, apparently Kalyan Banerjee.
Indranil Sen's Announcement
Indranil Sen told TV9 Bangla, 'I am in politics, but I am not a politician. There is a difference between the two. People made me an MLA... The party gave me this honour, and I enjoyed it. I tried my best... I will no longer be in electoral politics... As of today, this is my decision. I don't know what will happen tomorrow.'
