More worries mount for TMC after losing their influence within the KMC, as their councillors conducted their monthly meeting outside the locked chamber on Friday. Of 136 TMC councillors, 86 were present. TMC councillors allege that they were informed on Thursday night via a phone call from the control room that the councillors’ meeting had been postponed. Councillors from other parties were absent. There are a total of 144 councillors in the KMC.
“The way the chamber was locked was not just undemocratic, but illegal. This was a deliberate step towards a conspiracy. Whether the meeting takes place or not can be decided by only one person, the chairman Mala Roy,” said councillor Arup Chakraborty.
“There should be an enquiry against those who are there in the control room,” added Chakraborty. Going ahead to hold the meeting was TMC’s way of protesting against the postponement notice.
Later in the evening, TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee held a meeting with the councillors, and 110 of them were present. The meeting lasted for more than an hour, but Mayor Firhad Hakim remained tight-lipped about the outcome.
With rumours of the party crumbling further after their defeat in the 2026 assembly elections and ahead of the December KMC elections, TMC faces a tough challenge, with the saffron party having a higher chance of sweeping these elections.
“Like a true party, man, I listened to what Didi (Mamata) said, and will follow directions,” said TMC councillor Biswarup Dey.
TMC has seen several resignations after the May 4 election results, and with rumours of more people leaving the party, Mamata is working hard to keep her party together while staying relevant as an opposition to the ruling BJP government.
Meanwhile, Abhishek Banerjee on Friday said the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) should specify which portions of his residence are illegal.
“First ask them which portions are illegal and then come to me,” said Abhishek Banerjee, responding to the 17 notices by KMC, alleging that certain portions of residence, including the lift and escalator inside his house, were illegally constructed. Abhishek was served notices for his houses and office earlier this week, asking him to respond within seven days.
