Bibhash Lodh BS News Agency: Out of the 144 wards in Kolkata city, the Trinamool Congress is trailing in 102. The party suffered a crushing defeat in the Assembly elections—a setback that has impacted the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), where the Trinamool currently holds power. Consequently, there is a strict mandate to ensure that there are absolutely no lapses in administrative performance. Mamata Banerjee reminded Firhad Hakim, Atin Ghosh, and their colleagues that they remain elected representatives. In light of this, the Trinamool supremo, Mamata Banerjee, summoned the Mayor of Kolkata along with all members of the Mayor-in-Council to her private residence. On Monday afternoon, all members of the Mayor-in-Council—with the exception of four individuals—assembled at her residence on Harish Chatterjee Street in Kalighat. According to sources, the Chief Minister expressed her deep displeasure during the meeting. She demanded a thorough explanation regarding the controversial demolition in Tiljala—specifically, how the structure was razed without a formal decision being reached during a meeting of the Mayor and the Mayor-in-Council. She also expressed her strong annoyance regarding the overall functioning of the municipal corporation and questioned the rationale behind such unilateral decisions. Sources indicate that Mayor Firhad Hakim attempted to explain to her that, in instances of fire hazards or the construction of illegal structures within the city, the Commissioner of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation possesses the authority to issue demolition orders independently; in such cases, the approval of the Mayor or the Mayor-in-Council is not a prerequisite. However, sources suggest that the Trinamool supremo remained firm in her stance despite this explanation. Furthermore, sources privy to the meeting revealed that she also expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of the KMC's Legal Department. Consequently, she reportedly issued directives to appoint the lawyer-son of a party MP to serve as legal counsel for the municipal corporation. Simultaneously, however, reports have reached the Trinamool supremo indicating that there are indeed existing deficiencies in the overall functioning of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation.
Out of the 144 wards in Kolkata city, the Trinamool Congress is trailing in 102. The party suffered a crushing defeat in the Assembly elections—a setback that has impacted the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), where the Trinamool currently holds power. Consequently, there is a strict mandate to ensure that there are absolutely no lapses in administrative performance. Mamata Banerjee reminded Firhad Hakim, Atin Ghosh, and their colleagues that they remain elected representatives. The people have elected them. Therefore, during today's meeting, Mamata Banerjee made it clear that she would not tolerate any lapses in their work.