Biswabrata Goswami
KRISHNAGAR, 29 JULY: Amid an escalating political crisis in Krishnagar, the West Bengal government has issued a show-cause notice to the municipality’s Board of Councillors, citing a complete breakdown of civic services and administrative negligence under the West Bengal Municipal Act, 1993. The board has been asked to respond within seven days, failing which it faces the prospect of dissolution.
In a government order (No. 549/UDMA-15011(22)/10/2025-LS-MA SEC dated 29 July), the principal secretary wrote, “the Governor is pleased hereby to direct the Board of Councillors of the said Municipality to show cause within seven (7) days from the date of issuance of this order why it shall not be dissolved on the grounds of the charges mentioned…”
The order follows the dramatic ouster of Chairperson Rita Das through a no-confidence motion passed on Monday by 15 out of 24 councillors — including 13 from the ruling Trinamul Congress, one Congress member and one Independent. Ms Das and her supporting councillors were absent from the meeting. Sub-Divisional Officer Sharadwita Chowdhury confirmed the outcome, stating that the motion was passed with the required majority and Ms Das thereby stood removed, though the board remains intact.
The municipal impasse reflects deeper factional rifts within the TMC’s Krishnagar unit. All party councillors had been summoned to Kolkata for a meeting at the party headquarters on 29 July in an effort to restore discipline, but the meeting was later cancelled. Rebel councillors have questioned the authenticity of the summons, suggesting it may have originated from the ousted chairperson’s camp rather than the official party command.
“We are not against the party,” said one rebel councillor, speaking on condition of anonymity. “We opposed her leadership because governance had completely stalled. We are willing to work with whoever the party nominates next.”
While Ms Das, who became the municipality’s first woman chairperson in 2022, has declined to comment, rebel councillors have accused her of partial governance, neglecting several wards, and failing to maintain basic civic services.
The administrative vacuum has had serious consequences for residents. Complaints of drinking water shortages, piled-up garbage, clogged drains, and crumbling roads have become widespread. Building plan clearances and property tax collections have also come to a halt.
The principal secretary’s notice has triggered speculation on whether the government may appoint an administrator or push for a resolution within the party fold. “Urban governance is collapsing, and factionalism is hurting the party’s image,” a senior TMC leader admitted, underscoring the political sensitivity of the issue in the run-up to the Assembly polls.
