Kolkata, May 17 -- The corridors of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) headquarters are wearing a deserted look after the Bharatiya Janata Party's sweeping victory in the Assembly polls, with several key members of the Mayor-in-Council (MMIC) reportedly remaining absent even as civic complaints continue to mount across the city.
Garbage accumulation in several wards, irregular conservancy services, and complaints of councillors becoming inaccessible have triggered fresh concerns over the functioning of the Trinamool Congress-run civic body, which still has more than six months left in its term before municipal polls are due in December.
Several Trinamool councillors privately admitted that the atmosphere within the civic administration has changed dramatically after the change of regime in the state. According to some councillors, conservancy workers and sections of the lower civic staff are no longer responding to their instructions in the same manner as before.
"The administration is facing uncertainty. Many councillors are unable to coordinate work on the ground as before," said a councillor of the ruling board, requesting anonymity.
The BJP's strong performance in Kolkata has intensified speculation over the future of the KMC board. According to Assembly poll trends, the BJP is now ahead in 101 of the 144 KMC wards, while the Trinamool retains an edge in only 43 wards. Adding to the uncertainty, rumours of defections have begun circulating within the civic body.
Despite the turbulence, MMIC member and TMC leader Swapan Samaddar maintained that the board can continue functioning if the new state government allows it to complete its tenure. "If the board is not dissolved, there should be no problem in providing services. Municipal elections are fought on different issues," he said.
State BJP president Samik Bhattacharya, however, has ruled out any immediate move to capture civic boards.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.