Who Succeeds Firhad Hakim? Mamata To Decide Kolkata’s Next Mayor; Sovan Chatterjee, Atin Ghosh In Spotlight

State Bureau, Kolkata: Uncertainty has increased regarding the power structure of the Municipal Corporation after senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Firhad Hakim resigned from the post of Kolkata Mayor on Friday.

Now the biggest question is whether the existing elected board of Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) will remain or an administrator will be appointed there by the West Bengal government.

Mamata Banerjee To Hold Meeting Today At 3 PM

The Trinamool Congress has been in power in the KMC since 2010, and the current municipal board's term is set to expire in December. Trinamool supremo Mamata Banerjee has called a crucial meeting at Trinamool Bhavan on EM Bypass on Sunday at 3 pm to decide who will be the next mayor.

According to Jagran sources, all Trinamool councillors and party officials in the Kolkata Corporation have been asked to attend this meeting. Discussions are gaining momentum within the party about reappointing former mayor Sovan Chatterjee as mayor.

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Meanwhile, Firhad Hakim's resignation has created confusion regarding the functioning of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation. The state government has sent a letter to the corporation asking why the current board should not be dissolved. A response has been requested within three days.

Trinamool Congress Active In Appointing New Mayor

TMC has become active in the process of appointing a new mayor. Party sources said that Sovan Chatterjee's name is being seriously considered.

Although he is not currently a councillor, under the new Kolkata Municipal Corporation rules, any citizen of the city can become mayor, provided they win an election and become a councillor within six months.

However, there is also a practical challenge. The term of the current municipal board is set to expire in the next six months. Consequently, discussions are rife in political circles about Sovan Chatterjee's possible return.

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Name Of Deputy Mayor Atin Ghosh Also Doing Rounds

Meanwhile, a section of the TMC believes that the mayoral position should be assigned to the current Deputy Mayor, Atin Ghosh, or a senior member of the Mayor's Council. Mamata Banerjee has called this meeting to reach a final decision on this issue and to determine the party's strategy.

This brainstorming session by Mamata Banerjee before leaving for the opposition INDIA alliance meeting to be held in Delhi on Monday is being considered important in deciding the future leadership system of Kolkata Municipal Corporation.