Siliguri, May 12 -- Dilip Barman, the TMC councillor from ward number 46 has finally been removed from the post of Member of Mayor-in-Council (MMIC) at the Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC). The decision was taken during the Mayor-in-Council meeting.

The controversy surrounding Barman dates back to July 30 last year, when a heated altercation broke out during a monthly session of the civic body over illegal building issues. During the meeting, Barman allegedly engaged in a verbal confrontation with Mayor Gautam Deb and Deputy Mayor Ranjan Sarkar. Following the incident, Chairman Pratul Chakraborty reportedly asked him to leave the session. After walking out, Barman openly criticised the Mayor and Deputy Mayor before the media. Despite the incident, no immediate action was taken against him. However, tensions reportedly deepened after the recent Assembly elections when the BJP secured a lead from Barman's ward. Sources claimed that Barman had also expressed happiness over the defeat of the Trinamool Congress candidate.

According to sources in the corporation, Barman remained absent from several Mayor-in-Council meetings and monthly sessions after the controversy. Despite repeated notifications, he allegedly failed to attend the meetings regularly, prompting the board to act.

Mayor Gautam Deb said: "The decision was taken because Barman was not attending meetings regularly. I am going out for a few days. A new MMIC member would be appointed after I return."

On the other hand, Dilip Barman reiterated that he had no official information regarding his removal. "I was present at the municipal corporation during the Mayor-in-Council meeting, but nobody informed me about the decision. I learned about it from the media," he said. Targeting the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, Barman further said: "People have shown their support through their ballot papers. I will send both of them to jail, there is no need for the BJP."

However, the SMC has already issued a notification confirming that he was removed under Section 20(C) of the West Bengal Municipal Corporation Act, 2006.

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