Sanchita Chatterjee, BS News Agency: Is there a rift between Firhad Hakim and Smita Pandey? The Trinamool Congress is in disarray following the recent political shift. On one hand, Abhishek Banerjee finds himself entangled in a web of legal notices; on the other, the roar of bulldozers demolishing illegal structures can be heard across the city. All constructions that have sprung up in violation of the law are being razed to the ground. "Bulldozer action" has already been witnessed in areas such as Tiljala, Garia, Howrah, and Bansdroni. Amidst this backdrop, speculation regarding a rift between Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim and Municipal Commissioner Smita Pandey has come to the fore. Speculation regarding the conflict between the Mayor and the Commissioner has reached a fever pitch over the issue of notices issued by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation for the demolition of illegal structures. According to sources, during a meeting held on Monday with the Mayor-in-Council members, Trinamool supremo Mamata Banerjee subjected Firhad Hakim to a barrage of tough questions. In response, the Mayor stated that he had absolutely no knowledge regarding the issuance of these notices. In light of this, the question arises: who is actually running the Corporation—the Mayor, or the Municipal Commissioner? A meeting of the Mayor-in-Council was scheduled to take place at the Kolkata Municipal Corporation on Monday; however, it was cancelled due to the absence of the Municipal Commissioner. Ansuman Sarkar, a licensed building surveyor, confirmed that—owing to the cancellation of the MIC meeting—work related to the sanctioning of building plans by the Mayor-in-Council has currently come to a standstill. All things considered, in the wake of the "saffron storm" that swept the Trinamool Congress aside in the electoral arena, internal affairs within the party have fallen into complete disarray. According to Trinamool sources, during the meeting held at Mamata's residence on Monday with the Mayor-in-Council members, Firhad once again faced intense scrutiny from the party supremo. Mamata reportedly vented her frustration directly at the Mayor regarding the issuance of a notice to Abhishek's residence. Sources indicate that the Mayor reiterated his stance, claiming he had no prior knowledge whatsoever regarding the notice sent to Abhishek. Firhad reiterated this same claim during a press conference held on Wednesday. He was heard stating, "I cannot comment on his [Abhishek's] personal matters, for I have not taken any 'lease' [assumed any responsibility] for them." Commenting on the matter, the State Minister for Municipal and Urban Development, Agnimitra Paul, stated, "Just because you refuse to sign, it does not mean a notice will not be issued to anyone... Those engaging in illegal activities cannot simply get away with it." This has raised the question: who is actually running the municipality—the Mayor or the Municipal Commissioner? While the Mayor has adopted a conciliatory tone, the Municipal Commissioner has struck a stern note. Smita’s stance is unequivocal: "We are enforcing the provisions enshrined in the KMC Act. We will take action in accordance with those provisions. We have already submitted our report; we will proceed exactly as directed by the State Government. We will not allow any illegal construction to take place in Kolkata."
Is it conceivable that all these notices were dispatched without informing Mayor Firhad, who heads the municipality's Building Department? This very question is being raised in the context of the notice sent to Abhishek Banerjee. Sources within the municipality reveal that, following the political regime change in the state, a rift has developed between Kolkata Municipal Commissioner Smita and Mayor Firhad. According to municipal sources, a meeting was held in the Commissioner's chamber until 9 PM on the night preceding the issuance of the notice to Abhishek's residence. As per established protocol, the municipality is supposed to function through coordination between the Mayor and the Municipal Commissioner. Given this context, is it truly plausible that the Mayor remained completely unaware of the notice issued by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation?
Commenting on the notice sent to Abhishek's home, BJP MLA and Councilor Sajal Ghosh remarked, "This was bound to happen. Regarding these illegal activities—who granted the approval? And for what purpose? The Commissioner has sent a letter addressing this. Therefore, the Mayor must provide an answer: how did these illegal constructions take place while he was serving as Mayor?" Addressing Firhad's claim that he was entirely unaware of the situation, Sajal retorted, "If he knows nothing, why does he continue to hold the post? He should retire to the forest."
