New Delhi, July 31 -- The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday strengthened its foothold in north Bengal's rural local bodies by taking control of the Dinhata-I Panchayat Samiti in Cooch Behar district and the Tot Para Gram Panchayat in Alipurduar following the constitution of new boards after a series of resignations.

In Dinhata-I, Chumki Barman was unanimously elected President of the Panchayat Samiti, becoming the first BJP leader to hold the post, while Sushmita Sarkar Roy was elected Vice-President. The board was constituted in the presence of the Block Development Officer (BDO), with all 15 BJP members attending the meeting.

In the 2023 Panchayat elections, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) had secured 33 of the 48 seats, while the BJP won 15. However, following the resignation of former President Tapati Roy, fresh elections were held on Friday. None of the TMC members attended the meeting, enabling the BJP members present to unanimously elect the new office-bearers.

"I will discharge the responsibility entrusted to me by the party with sincerity. My priority will be to ensure transparent and efficient services for the people," Chumki Barman said after assuming office.

Dinhata MLA Ajay Roy said the newly constituted board would leave behind allegations of corruption and focus on delivering transparent and efficient public services.

In Alipurduar district, the BJP also wrested control of the TMC-run Tot Para Gram Panchayat after BJP-backed member Bulti Das was elected Pradhan during the formation of a new board.

The election was conducted in the presence of block administration officials, while no TMC members attended the meeting.

Following her election, Das was felicitated by BJP leaders and supporters, after which the party organised a victory procession led by BJP Mandal No. 5 president Motilal Barman.

"My priority will be to ensure a corruption-free Gram Panchayat and deliver efficient public services," Das said.

The 15-member Gram Panchayat had been under TMC control since the 2023 Panchayat elections, when the party formed the board with 12 members.

However, after the Pradhan and Deputy Pradhan resigned, followed by the resignation of four more TMC members, the block administration initiated the process for constituting a new board, resulting in the BJP taking control of the panchayat.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.