Malda, Aug. 17 -- In a major political setback for the Trinamool Congress, the Sabhadhipati of Malda Zilla Parishad, Lipika Barman Ghosh and Sahakari Sabhadhipati ATM Rafiqul Hossain were formally removed through a no-confidence motion meeting on Monday.
Although both leaders had resigned on August 15 by email, the district administration proceeded with the meeting under heavy police security. A total of 24 members participated, including 19 dissident TMC members and five Congress members, who jointly backed the motion.
The 43-member Zilla Parishad was formed by the TMC after it won 34 seats in the last panchayat elections. However, internal rebellion within the party led to the no-confidence move against the board's top leadership.
Congress district leader Mausam Noor, who attended the meeting with all five Congress members, said the decision was taken to restore transparency in the district body.
"The Trinamool-run Zilla Parishad had become embroiled in corruption. We supported the no-confidence motion to ensure a transparent Zilla Parishad," Noor said. She added that the next Sabhadhipati and Sahakari Sabhadhipati would be chosen through discussions among the supporting members in the coming days.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.