Archive · 15 Sep 2026
CPM Leader Challenges Civic Delimitation, Alleges Political Gerrymandering
Md Salim of the CPM criticised how some city ward boundaries are being redrawn.
He said the process is not using clear rules such as population or geography.
He called the changes “gerrymandering,” which means shaping voting areas to help a political group.
The government says increasing the number of wards will help provide better services.
Kolkata, Siliguri, Durgapur and Howrah are all expected to have more wards.
Salim asked officials to create a proper standard for the process.
He also criticised the eviction of street vendors during the festive season.
He said the Left Front would protest against the evictions.
Salim urged Left parties to work together against what he described as threats to India’s diversity.
CPM state secretary Md Salim alleged that civic delimitation was being conducted without uniform criteria.
Salim said population, geography and other established yardsticks were not being properly followed.
Ward numbers are set to increase in Kolkata, Siliguri, Durgapur and Howrah civic bodies.
Government representatives said the changes aim to improve governance and civic services.
Salim also opposed the festive-season eviction of street vendors and called for larger Left unity.
- Who
- CPM state secretary Md Salim, government representatives and civic authorities.
- What
- A dispute over the ongoing delimitation of civic wards, along with criticism of street-vendor evictions.
- When
- Salim made the remarks on Monday after spending two days in the Darjeeling hills and plains.
- Where
- At a news conference at the CPM’s Darjeeling district office in Siliguri, West Bengal, and concerning several civic bodies in the state.
- Why
- Salim said the delimitation lacked uniform criteria and alleged it could unfairly benefit a political party; he also opposed vendor evictions during the festive season.
CPM and Left Front Position
Government’s Stated Position
Delimitation criteria
CPM and Left Front Position
Md Salim said population, geographical location and other established yardsticks were not being followed, and alleged that boundaries were being manipulated.
Government’s Stated Position
Government representatives said increasing the number of wards was intended to improve governance and provide better civic services.
Street-vendor evictions
CPM and Left Front Position
Salim criticised evictions during the festive season and said the Left Front would protest.
Government’s Stated Position
The article does not provide the government’s response to the eviction criticism.
- Kolkata Municipal Corporation wards
- The number is set to rise from 144 to 209.
- Siliguri Municipal Corporation wards
- The number is set to rise from 47 to 63.
- Durgapur Municipal Corporation wards
- The number is set to rise from 43 to 53.
- Howrah Municipal Corporation wards
- The number is now reported as 68, up from 50.
- Salim’s allegation
- He said the delimitation was being conducted without basic criteria and amounted to “gerrymandering.”
- Government rationale
- Government representatives said the ward increases would improve governance and provide better civic services.