Archive · 23 Jul 2026
CPM demands immediate SMC polls over civic service decline
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) in Darjeeling is asking for quick elections for the Siliguri city government.
They say that since the old government stepped down, important services like birth certificates, building permits, and cleaning the streets have gotten worse.
They worry that things will get even worse during the upcoming festivals if nothing is done.
The city is now being run by an appointed official instead of elected leaders.
The CPM demanded immediate polls to the Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC) due to declining civic services.
The party submitted a memorandum to the SMC administrator urging restoration of basic civic amenities.
Residents face difficulties in accessing key municipal services like digital birth and death certificates and building plan approvals.
The SMC has been under administrative control since June 22 after the dissolution of the Trinamool Congress-led board.
The CPM claims that preventive measures against vector-borne diseases have been affected by the absence of a fully functioning civic board.
- Who
- The Darjeeling district unit of the CPM
- What
- Demanded immediate polls to the Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC) and highlighted the decline in civic services
- When
- Wednesday
- Where
- Siliguri, West Bengal, India
- Why
- Due to the absence of an elected civic board, which has adversely affected essential civic services
CPM's Perspective
Government's Perspective
Need for Immediate Elections
CPM's Perspective
The CPM argues that the absence of an elected civic board has led to a decline in essential civic services, and immediate elections are necessary to restore these services.
Government's Perspective
The government has not publicly responded to the CPM's demands, but the dissolution of the board and appointment of an administrator suggest a different approach to managing the situation.
- Date of Demand
- Wednesday
- Organization Making Demand
- Darjeeling district unit of the CPM
- Affected Municipal Corporation
- Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC)
- Date of Board Dissolution
- June 22
- Current Administrator
- Vir Vikram Rai
- Issues Highlighted
- Delays in digital birth and death certificates, building plan approvals, water-logging, inadequate drainage, and preventive measures against vector-borne diseases