After the formation of the BJP government in the state, there has been a major shake-up in the municipalities as well. Out of the 33 assembly constituencies in North 24 Parganas district, the highest number, only 9 are now under Trinamool Congress control. In the Barrackpore industrial area, the party has been almost wiped out. In this situation, there is a wave of mass resignations in the municipalities there as well. Over the past few days, councilors in Halisahar, Bhatpara, and Garulia municipalities have resigned, making the boards fragile based on numbers. In this context, on Friday, Trinamool leader Mamata Banerjee called a meeting of party councilors from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation at her Kalighat residence. Her specific message there was, ‘Do not resign. The term of the municipality lasts until December. Hold on to the ground until then and serve the people. If you resign, they (the BJP) will pounce.’

Mamata’s single message to everyone: ‘Do not be afraid, stay on the path of protest and do your work well.’ On Friday, when the municipal session room was locked, forcing the meeting to be held in a club room, she termed it ‘BJP’s arrogance’ and instructed the party councilors to protest against it on Saturday itself. The mayor of the municipality, Firhad Hakim, has been given the responsibility.

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Currently, there are 137 Trinamool councilors in the Kolkata Municipal Corporation. Of them, 100 were present at Friday’s meeting. Many, including Debashis Kumar, Tarak Singh, Jui Biswas, and Bappaditya Dasgupta, could not attend for various reasons. To those who were present, Mamata gave a single message: ‘Do not be afraid, stay on the path of protest and do your work well.’ On Friday, when the municipal session room was locked, forcing the meeting to be held in a club room, she termed it ‘BJP’s arrogance’ and instructed the party councilors to protest against it on Saturday itself. The mayor of the municipality, Firhad Hakim, has been given the responsibility.
After the resignation of Devlina Biswas, the chairperson of Ward No. 9 in Bhowanipore, councilor Sandip Ranjan Boxi has been instructed to appoint someone new to the position.

During the meeting, the issue of the notice regarding the demolition of a part of Abhishek Banerjee’s house was also raised. The party leader’s reaction was that sending a notice like this does not mean a decision to demolish the house can be taken immediately. The municipality has specific procedures. Houses cannot be demolished anytime with bulldozers. She alleged that the BJP is doing all this simply by using power. At the same time, she advised the councilors not to step back out of fear but to continue protesting and remain steadfast in their duties. Overall, to ensure that a stronghold like the Kolkata Municipal Corporation is not lost before its time, Mamata Banerjee has been giving various advice to the party councilors continuously.

Bhatpara

Bhatpara is a town in West Bengal, India, historically known as a center of Sanskrit learning and traditional Brahminical culture. It gained prominence during the medieval period as a hub for scholars and was once part of the zamindari estate of the noted Bengali poet and philosopher, Krittibas Ojha. Today, it remains a culturally significant area, though it has evolved into a densely populated suburban town within the Kolkata metropolitan region.

Halisahar

Halisahar is a city in West Bengal, India, located along the Hooghly River. Historically part of the Bengal region, it grew as an industrial center during the British colonial period, particularly known for its jute mills and railway connections. Today, it is a densely populated urban area with a mix of residential neighborhoods and small industries.

Kalighat

Kalighat is a historic locality in Kolkata, India, best known for the Kalighat Kali Temple, a sacred Hindu shrine dedicated to the goddess Kali. The temple’s origins date back centuries, with the current structure built in the early 19th century, and it is believed to be one of the 51 Shakti Peethas, where the toes of the goddess Sati fell. Kalighat also gave its name to the Kalighat painting style, a distinct school of Indian folk art that flourished in the 19th century.

Barrackpore

Barrackpore is a historic town in West Bengal, India, known for its significant role during the British colonial era. It was the site of the first major uprising against British rule in 1824, when Sepoy Bindee Tiwary led a mutiny of Indian soldiers, and later witnessed the Barrackpore Mutiny of 1857, a precursor to the Indian Rebellion. The town also features the Barrackpore Rajbari, a colonial-era palace, and the Gandhi Ghat, commemorating Mahatma Gandhi’s visit.

Kolkata Municipal Corporation

The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) is the governing civic body responsible for the administration and infrastructure of Kolkata, India. Established in 1876 during British colonial rule as the Calcutta Municipal Corporation, it is one of the oldest municipal corporations in the country. Today, it oversees the city’s public services, urban planning, and maintenance, reflecting Kolkata’s evolution from a colonial capital to a modern metropolis.

Bhowanipore

Bhowanipore is a historic neighborhood in South Kolkata, India, known for its rich cultural and political heritage. It was a key center of the Bengali Renaissance and the Indian independence movement, with many notable figures like Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose having lived or been active there. The area is also famous for its traditional Bengali architecture, vibrant markets, and landmarks such as the Bhowanipore Cemetery and the Kalighat Temple nearby.

Garulia

Garulia is a town in North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal, India, situated along the Hooghly River. Historically, it was part of the Barrackpore subdivision and developed as a residential and industrial area during the British colonial period, with its growth linked to the expansion of jute mills and river trade in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, it remains a densely populated urban center with a blend of historical and modern influences.

North 24 Parganas

North 24 Parganas is a district in the Indian state of West Bengal, located just north of Kolkata. Its history dates back to the Mughal and British colonial eras, when it was part of the larger 24 Parganas district established by the British East India Company after the Battle of Plassey in 1757. Today, it is known for its dense population, agricultural lands, and cultural landmarks like the Sundarbans mangrove forest and the ancient town of Barrackpore.