Malda, Oct. 7 -- Replicating the model seen in Malda Zilla Parishad, where the BJP took control of the Sabhadhipati post, the party on Wednesday wrested control of the English Bazar Municipality with the support of a section of Trinamool Congress (TMC) councillors. BJP MLA and councillor Amlan Bhaduri was elected chairman of the civic body.
The development came just three hours before the scheduled election of a new chairman, when 11 TMC councillors submitted a written declaration to the Malda Sadar Sub-Divisional Officer stating that they were no longer associated with any political party.
Among them was municipality vice-chairman Sumala Agarwala. Explaining the decision, Agarwala said: "The Trinamool Congress has practically ceased to exist. It has broken into pieces. That is why we have become Independent. We did not field any candidate. The BJP fielded a candidate and we all supported him."
Three Trinamool councillors, however, remained absent during the chairman's election. In the presence of the remaining councillors, BJP councillor from Ward 13 and English Bazar MLA-cum-chief whip of the state Assembly, Amlan Bhaduri, was elected chairman.
Bhaduri said the BJP was the only party to field a candidate and received the support of the councillors. "We were the only ones who fielded a candidate and everyone supported him. There is nothing more to say," he said.
The newly-elected chairman also promised action against what he described as irregularities in the functioning of the municipality. "Several unethical decisions have been taken in the municipality, including excessive tax hikes and illegal constructions. Action will be taken against all such issues," Bhaduri said. He added that the decision reflected the wishes of the people of the town.
Former English Bazar Municipality chairman and Trinamool councillor Krishnendu Narayan Choudhury also said that the party had effectively lost its organisational existence. "The Trinamool has ceased to exist, so there is no question of fielding a candidate," he said.
Reacting to Bhaduri's promise of action against alleged illegal activities, Choudhury added: "If there has been any illegal work, let him take action. I welcome it."
The development drew sharp criticism from the Congress. Malda South MP Isha Khan Choudhury said the developments in the municipality mirrored what had happened at the Malda Zilla Parishad. "A section of the Trinamool has now merged with the BJP. We saw the same thing at the Zilla Parishad and the same has happened here," he said.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.