Kolkata, May 20: Firhad Hakim, a four-time legislator of the Trinamool Congress and the current mayor of Kolkata, denied any knowledge regarding the investigation initiated by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) into 17 properties allegedly owned or co-owned by Trinamool Congress General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee.
Reports indicate that the KMC has issued notices under Section 400(1) of the KMC Act, 1980, concerning these properties, which fall under the corporation’s jurisdiction. This section allows owners of purported illegal constructions to present their case before municipal authorities.
Mayor Hakim stated that he was unaware of such notices being issued. Speaking to the media on Wednesday afternoon, he said, “As per the KMC Act, I am merely a policy maker. I have no information regarding these notices, nor has anyone informed me about this development.”
He clarified that the KMC Commissioner holds the authority to make decisions in such matters. “No one has told me anything regarding this issue. The mayor of KMC has no influence over which properties the corporation’s building department decides to demolish. The KMC Commissioner has the right to make such decisions,” he added.
Notably, Abhishek Banerjee was present at a meeting of newly elected Trinamool Congress legislators chaired by former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at his residence in Kalighat, South Kolkata, on Tuesday afternoon.
During the meeting, he asserted that he would not bow to the newly elected BJP-led government in the state, stating, “They can do whatever they want. They can send me notices. They can even demolish my house. But I will never bend. No matter what happens, I will continue my fight against the BJP.”
Meanwhile, the BJP’s West Bengal unit released a list of 43 properties that they allege are linked to Abhishek Banerjee. However, the Trinamool Congress dismissed this list as fabricated and unreliable.
Arpit Soni has had a passion for journalism since the beginning. Now he has turned this hobby into his profession. Arpit, who is a resident of Udaipur, enjoys editing and writing news related to journalism. He has worked as a Senior Content Producer in several important roles at Bhaskar, Patrika, Pratahkal, Punjab Kesari, and Times. Arpit completed his schooling in Udaipur and Jaipur. He has been working in the media industry for more than 10 years, and his journey is still continuing. ✍️📚
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