Two councillors of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in South Dumdum municipality have submitted their resignations, alleging that factionalism within the party is obstructing local development. The moves have exposed internal tensions in the municipality and could complicate governance in the 17‑ward body.
South Dumdum TMC resignations
Debashish Banerjee, the councillor for Ward 15, and Gopa Pandey, the councillor for Ward 3, have each sent resignation letters to the Sub‑Divisional Officer in Barrackpore. Both councillors said they were forced to step down because their efforts to carry out development work in their wards were being frustrated.
Banerjee said he had already written to Barrackpore MP Partha Bhowmik and to state education minister and senior TMC leader Bratya Basu. Publicly he cited physical ill health as the formal reason for his resignation. He also alleged that a conspiracy against him had created conditions that left him with no option but to resign and notify the SD0 and the municipality chairperson.
Pandey told reporters that persistent obstruction to projects in her area prompted her to tender her resignation. She said development work was being blocked and that she could not continue in office if she was unable to deliver basic services to residents.
The chairperson of South Dumdum municipality, Kasturi Chaudhuri, said she had no information about the resignations and declined to comment. Her response underscores the uncertainty within the municipal leadership over the scale and implications of the departures.
Information circulating locally indicates that Banerjee is viewed as a close associate of Bratya Basu. He won his seat contesting as an independent before joining the TMC. His resignation has drawn public statements of support from other local councillors. Sukanta Sen Sharma, the councillor for Ward 14, said Banerjee made the right decision and hinted that he and others might follow the same course.
South Dumdum municipality has 17 wards. Local accounts suggest that several councillors are contemplating resignation, which, if carried out, would complicate administration and delay municipal programmes. Observers say that resignations of sitting councillors can stall approvals and implementation of civic works until replacements are appointed or by‑elections are held.
For residents, the immediate concern is continuity of services and delivery of ongoing projects. Councillors are the primary link between municipal administration and neighbourhood needs; disruptions at that level can affect everything from road repairs to drainage work and sanitation.
The episode is the latest sign of factional strain in parts of the state’s ruling party at the local level. While the reasons cited by the councillors focus on obstruction of development, their departures also carry political overtones that may draw attention from party leadership in Kolkata.
The report is based on an automated news feed from Prabhat Khabar and has not been edited by the website’s newsroom.
Key Takeaways:
- Two Trinamool Congress councillors from South Dumdum municipality have submitted resignations citing obstruction of development work.
- Ward 15 councillor Debashish Banerjee and Ward 3 councillor Gopa Pandey sent their resignation letters to the Barrackpore SD0 alleging conspiracies and deliberate blocking of projects.
- The municipality chairperson said she had no information, while at least one other councillor has voiced support for the resignations and more councillors are reportedly considering quitting.
