Raiganj, Nov. 5 -- In a significant political development, the BJP wrested two Gram Panchayat boards in North Dinajpur district from the Trinamool Congress (TMC), despite having only six elected members in one of the Panchayats. The BJP took control of Matikunda-II Gram Panchayat in Islampur on Thursday, while it had captured Durlavpur Gram Panchayat in Itahar on Wednesday evening.

At Matikunda-II, BJP member Mala Sinha was elected Pradhan in a meeting held on Thursday following a directive from the Calcutta High Court. Adequate police personnel were deployed at the Gram Panchayat office to maintain law and order during the election.

In the 2023 Panchayat elections, the TMC had won 11 of the 22 seats in Matikunda-II, while the BJP secured six seats and Independent candidates won the remaining five. Farida Khatun of the TMC was subsequently elected Pradhan. However, following the change of power in the state, BJP members, along with a section of TMC and Independent members, brought a no-confidence motion against her and removed her from the post. Farida Khatun reportedly approached the Calcutta High Court, following which the Pradhan election was conducted on Thursday in accordance with the court's directive.

Pinaki Debnath, BDO of Islampur, said: "The Pradhan election at Matikunda-II Gram Panchayat was conducted peacefully with adequate police deployment."

Meanwhile, the BJP also took charge of Durlavpur Gram Panchayat in Itahar on Wednesday evening, with Swapan Roy of the BJP elected Pradhan. In the 2023 Panchayat elections, the BJP and TMC had secured 11 seats each in the 26-member Panchayat, while Congress won three seats and an Independent candidate secured one seat. The former TMC Pradhan, Rina Sarkar, was removed through a no-confidence motion around a month ago.

Following her removal, a meeting was held on Wednesday evening under tight police security, where Swapan Roy was elected the new Pradhan. Gautam Chowdhury, the inspector in-charge of Itahar Police Station said that adequate police arrangements had ensured the peaceful conduct of the Pradhan election at Durlavpur.

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