The Trinamool Congress (TMC)-run board at Dankuni Municipality in West Bengal’s Hooghly district collapsed on Wednesday after Chairman Hasina Shabnam and Vice-Chairman Prakash Raha stepped down from their posts. Two other councillors also resigned, triggering political uncertainty in the civic body.

As the four leaders exited the municipal office, people gathered outside raised slogans of “chor, chor” (thief, thief), leading to a tense atmosphere around the premises, ANI reported.

Four resignations trigger political setback 

The resignations mark another setback for the ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, where the party has been witnessing internal turbulence in recent months.

The exit of the chairman, vice-chairman and two councillors effectively brought down the existing municipal board in Dankuni. The developments unfolded amid loud protests outside the municipality building as those present shouted “chor, chor” while the leaders walked out.

Civic functioning under scrutiny

The latest episode comes against the backdrop of criticism over the functioning of municipal bodies in the state.

Earlier in May, West Bengal minister Agnimitra Paul had targeted the Trinamool Congress, alleging that the absence of elected councillors from municipal offices across the state was affecting civic administration and disrupting the delivery of basic public services.

Speaking about councillors who had either resigned or stopped attending municipal offices, Paul described their conduct as “irresponsible” and accused them of failing to discharge their public responsibilities despite holding office for years.

Internal unrest continues within TMC 

The political unease has extended beyond municipal administration. A rebel faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee recently announced an alternative leadership structure for the All India Trinamool Congress Committee, claiming the support of a majority of the party’s MLAs. 

The dispute intensified after the faction claimed control of the party’s Metropolitan state office in Kolkata. Security personnel from the CRPF and Kolkata Police were deployed outside the premises following the development.

The rebel group has also approached the Election Commission in New Delhi, staking claim to the party’s name, funds and its twin-flower election symbol.

According to ANI, the group entered the EM Bypass office along with Firhad Hakim, Javed Khan and Akhruzzaman, replaced the existing signage and installed a new banner naming senior MLA Arup Roy as chairman instead of Mamata Banerjee. The faction claimed the building’s lease had expired and that a fresh agreement had been signed under its working committee. 

The developments prompted strong objections from leaders loyal to Mamata Banerjee. Kolkata Police said they would verify the ownership and lease documents of the office before allowing normal political activities to resume.

FAQs:

Why did the TMC board collapse in Dankuni Municipality?

The TMC board collapsed after Chairman Hasina Shabnam, Vice-Chairman Prakash Raha and two other councillors resigned from their posts.

What happened after the TMC leaders resigned from Dankuni Municipality?

Protesters raised “chor chor” slogans outside the municipality building, while the resignations triggered a political crisis in the civic body.