kunal ghosh

Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim is reportedly considering stepping down this week, possibly Friday, after the Trinamool's defeat in the Kolkata Municipal Corporation polls. Sources suggest Hakim expressed feeling "suffocated" to party chief Mamata Banerjee, citing the KMC's perceived ineffectiveness. This move follows the arrest and resignation of several councillors, adding to the pressure.

Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation Mayor Krishna Chakraborty has resigned from her post, citing personal reasons. She submitted her resignation letter to the BMC commissioner on Thursday. Chakraborty stated she worked for the people during her tenure and will continue to do so as a councillor, expressing gratitude to the residents.

In a significant turn of events, the Trinamool-led board of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation has been officially dissolved. Municipal commissioner Smita Pandey has stepped in as the appointed administrator, taking charge as Mayor Firhad Hakim resigns amidst escalating political unrest characterized by the arrests of several councillors and signs of deepening internal conflict.

Mamata Banerjee, leading her first protest post-election defeat, vowed to oust the BJP from the Centre if she survives, accusing them of a conspiracy. She pledged to unite anti-BJP parties and fight oppression, highlighting post-poll violence and the impact on livelihoods. Banerjee criticized the denial of protest permits and alleged police inaction, even referencing an attack on Abhishek Banerjee.

The Calcutta High Court refused to urgently hear a petition by former minister Aroop Biswas seeking to quash an FIR against him for criminal intimidation. The court directed Biswas to follow the regular legal process, suggesting he seek anticipatory bail instead, as the FIR was filed six months after the alleged incident.

Political turmoil grips West Bengal as a cancelled TMC meeting highlights a wave of arrests targeting party leaders. Allegations of extortion, corruption, and post-poll violence fuel police action, leading to over 200 FIRs and hundreds of arrests. In response, the TMC plans statewide protests against alleged violence and hawker evictions.

Daylong sit-in, P 10

In a significant political message, the letter submitted to the assembly speaker referred to Mamata Banerjee as the party's chairperson, suggesting that the rebel camp is positioning its challenge against the current leadership of the legislature party rather than against the TMC chief herself. Sources aligned with the dissident group told news agency PTI that the legislators have also rejected any role for Abhishek Banerjee in determining the affairs of the legislature party.

A significant split occurred within the Trinamool Congress legislative wing as 58 MLAs nominated Ritabrata Banerjee as the leader of opposition, bypassing the party's official choice. Speaker Rathindra Bose accepted the rebel bloc's recommendation, recognizing them as the official Trinamool group in the assembly.

Tragedy struck within Kolkata's political landscape as Sanjay Das, a councillor from the Trinamool party, was discovered dead at his residence. Early indications point towards suicide, with family members and locals attributing his distress to mounting pressures from land-grab and extortion allegations.

The political landscape in Bengal is charged with speculation as a prominent BJP minister asserts that more than 50 Trinamool MLAs could defect amidst growing schisms within the party. This development comes on the heels of the 'Signgate' scandal, where ousted MLAs are claiming their signatures were forged for the Leader of Opposition position.

On Wednesday, a group of 58 rebel MLAs led by expelled leader Ritabrata Banerjee claimed control of the TMC legislature party after securing recognition from Assembly Speaker Rathindra Bose. The dramatic development capped nearly two weeks of mounting tensions fuelled by allegations of forged signatures, resentment over the growing influence of Abhishek Banerjee and an increasingly visible succession struggle within the organisation.

A Trinamool Congress (TMC) meeting was postponed after nearly three-fourths of the party's 80 MLAs failed to attend, following alleged attacks on Abhishek Banerjee and Kalyan Banerjee. The party announced statewide rallies and a sit-in in Kolkata against post-poll violence and evictions, blaming BJP for "terror" against workers. BJP denies involvement, citing local anger.

Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee has defiantly responded to summons from the West Bengal CID, vowing not to be intimidated by investigative agencies. He stated that even facing severe threats would not make him yield. The summons follows a series of legal challenges and a recent visit by Kolkata Police to his residence, which was described as routine.

The political landscape is shaking as two Trinamool MLAs were ousted after they alerted the speaker to possible signature forgery related to the opposition leader's election. Chief Minister Adhikari announced that the CID is probing the matter, with three MLAs asserting that their signatures were faked.

West Bengal CID has summoned Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee to appear on Monday regarding a 'fake signature' row involving a party resolution. The notice follows allegations of forged signatures of MLAs on a proposal for the Leader of the Opposition. Banerjee accepted the notice and stated he would consult his legal team.