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Left demands Siliguri civic polls amid protests over services
The Left Front held a protest in Siliguri on Wednesday.
It wants elections for the city’s municipal government to be held soon.
Siliguri’s wards were recently increased from 47 to 63.
The city corporation has been run by an administrator since June.
Left leaders said basic services are not working well.
They mentioned poor waste-cleaning services, potholes and problems with drinking-water supplies.
Congress also said it would protest the service problems.
The article does not include a response from the municipal authorities or the state government.
The Darjeeling district Left Front held a protest march and demonstration outside the Siliguri Municipal Corporation on Wednesday.
The Left demanded that the West Bengal government immediately announce the schedule for civic elections.
The protest followed the expansion of Siliguri’s municipal wards from 47 to 63 through delimitation.
Left leaders alleged that conservancy services, roads and drinking-water supplies had deteriorated across the city.
The Congress announced a separate demonstration outside the corporation on Thursday over poor civic services.
- Who
- The Darjeeling district Left Front, including CPM leaders and supporters, organised the protest; the Congress announced a separate demonstration.
- What
- A protest march and demonstration demanding immediate Siliguri civic elections and improved municipal services.
- Where
- Outside the Siliguri Municipal Corporation in Siliguri, after a march through Hill Cart Road, Sevoke More, Hashmi Chowk and Kutcheri Road.
- When
- The Left protest took place on Wednesday; the Congress demonstration was announced for Thursday.
- Why
- The Left cited the absence of an elected civic board and alleged deteriorating conservancy services, roads and drinking-water supply.
Key facts
- Civic body
- Siliguri Municipal Corporation
- Municipal wards
- Increased from 47 to 63 through delimitation
- Current administration
- The corporation has been under administrator R. Vimala since June
- Former mayor
- Gautam Deb stepped down in June
- Main demand
- Immediate announcement of the Siliguri civic election schedule
- Alleged service problems
- Collapsed conservancy services, pothole-riddled roads and limited improvement in drinking-water supply
- Additional protest
- The Darjeeling district Congress announced a demonstration outside the corporation on Thursday
Quotes
Saradindu Chakraborty
Former CPM councillor
“What is pathetic about the BJP is that they came to power with the votes of common people and are now conducting eviction drives against them. We want only an elected civic board to resolve the issues and provide proper services to the residents here.”
telegraphindia.com
“We are demanding that the state government immediately declare the schedule for the SMC elections.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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