Kolkata Municipal Corporation Elections Scheduled for December 7, Announces Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari

Kolkata, June 15: Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari confirmed on Monday that the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) elections will take place within the next six months. He stated that a newly elected board will be formed by December 7. This announcement was made during a cleanliness campaign organized by the municipal corporation.

Political dynamics in the state have shifted following a change in government. The former ruling party, the Trinamool Congress, is currently in turmoil due to internal conflicts. The party lost control of the KMC after several councilors resigned, culminating in the resignation of former state minister Firhad Hakim from the mayor’s position.

Although the KMC’s term is set to end this December, the board was dissolved following the mayor’s resignation. Consequently, the state municipal department appointed Commissioner Smita Pandey as the administrator to oversee the municipal body until elections are held.

There were doubts about whether the Suvendu Adhikari government would conduct elections before December and establish a new board. However, the Chief Minister has assured that the board will be formed by December 7.

The last municipal election took place in December 2021, where the then-ruling Trinamool Congress won 137 out of 144 wards, leading to allegations of widespread electoral fraud from the opposition.

Since the change in power, the KMC has faced a crisis, with several Trinamool councilors arrested on various charges. Some councilors have expressed their inability to operate independently within the current environment.

Following this, Firhad Hakim resigned as mayor, stating he could not work under such conditions. Subsequently, the Municipal and Urban Development Department issued a notice to the KMC, questioning why the board should not be dissolved after the mayor’s resignation. The KMC was also instructed to inform the public within three days about the new mayor.

However, three days passed without any announcement regarding the new mayor, prompting the state government to dissolve the board and appoint an administrator.