West Bengal Political Turmoil: Reasons Behind TMC Councillors’ Resignations Following Election Defeat | Analysis

More than 100 councillors elected from the Trinamool Congress have stepped down across various regions of West Bengal since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ousted Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in the recent assembly elections, results of which were announced on May 4.

List of municipalities impacted by TMC resignations

These resignations are crucial as councillors serve as the bridge between the electorate and local governance. They not only advocate for the community’s needs but also oversee essential services such as road maintenance and sanitation.
For former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, these councillors represent a vital connection to the electorate. Their exodus could significantly undermine her relationship with grassroots supporters.

Reasons for TMC councillors resigning in West Bengal

Publicly, several councillors have cited personal or organizational motives for their resignations.

However, behind closed doors, many TMC leaders acknowledged that fears of police action and corruption investigations are rapidly spreading through municipalities, where councillors previously operated with political safety under the former government, according to a New18 report.

The anxiety has heightened following a series of arrests of municipal leaders associated with the TMC.

On May 20, Ranjan Poddar, councillor of Ward 34 in Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation and chairman of Borough 5, was arrested.

He allegedly extorted money from bus and auto operators. Days earlier, another Bidhannagar councillor, Samrat Barua, was apprehended in an alleged extortion case.

In Cooch Behar, TMC councillor Ujjal Tar was also arrested over threats and intimidation claims during the Assembly election campaign.

TMC councillor Debalina Biswas resigned from her chairperson position in Borough No. 9 but remains as councillor of Ward 74. This resignation occurred shortly after the KMC issued notices to 17 properties linked to Abhishek Banerjee and his family.

The rising tensions have prompted former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to convene meetings with councillors from several municipalities, including Bidhannagar, Dum Dum, and Baranagar. Banerjee warned party members against leaving the organization after electoral setbacks, reportedly stating, “We do not need workers who stay only when the party wins and leave after a defeat.”

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