‘Suffocated’ Firhad Hakim likely to quit as Kolkata mayor

KOLKATA: City mayor Firhad Hakim, reportedly rattled by the loss of control over Kolkata Municipal Corporation after Trinamool’s poll defeat, is likely to step down this week, possibly on Friday.

Hakim is said to have told party chairperson Mamata Banerjee that he was feeling “suffocated”, and sought her permission to resign.

“I have not resigned,” Hakim said on Wednesday, amid speculation that he had put in his papers. His denial notwithstanding, the buzz around Hakim’s resignation intensified after TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said the mayor wanted “a dignified exit” as the state govt had effectively rendered KMC “defunct”.

“Firhad Hakim requested Mamata Banerjee to relieve him from the post of mayor as he could not work at all. The issue was discussed at Wednesday’s administrative meeting , where it was stated that KMC had effectively been made defunct.

Therefore, in order to protect his dignity, Mamata Banerjee allowed him (Hakim) to resign,” Ghosh said.

Hakim has also been unsettled by the arrest of a few councillors and the resignation of some others.