2 hrs ago
BJP Takes Control of English Bazar Municipality After Malda Zilla Parishad
The BJP has taken charge of the English Bazar municipality in Malda.
Amlan Bhaduri, a BJP MLA and municipal councillor, was elected chairman.
He received 15 votes, including votes from 12 councillors who had previously been with the Trinamool Congress and were now treated as Independents.
Three councillors were not present.
Bhaduri said the BJP wanted to improve civic services and address concerns such as illegal construction and taxation.
A Trinamool leader said the party was watching the developments and could take action.
The change happened after the BJP also took control of the district’s rural council.
It came just before Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari was due to visit Malda.
BJP MLA and councillor Amlan Bhaduri was elected chairman of the 29-member English Bazar municipality on Wednesday.
Bhaduri received 15 votes: support from three BJP councillors and 12 Independents who had previously been with the Trinamool Congress.
Three councillors were absent; the remaining councillors, including former chairman Krishnendu Narayan Choudhury, attended.
Sadar SDO S D Sarkar said 11 councillors had formally given up the Trinamool symbol and were treated as Independents under the cited anti-defection provision.
The municipality’s change in control followed the BJP taking control of Malda Zilla Parishad and came a day before Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari’s scheduled Malda visit.
- Who
- Amlan Bhaduri was elected chairman with votes from BJP councillors and 12 Independents formerly associated with the Trinamool Congress.
- What
- The BJP took control of the English Bazar municipality after Bhaduri was elected chairman.
- Where
- English Bazar municipality, Malda district, north Bengal.
- When
- Wednesday, the day before Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari’s scheduled visit to Malda.
- Why
- Bhaduri said the BJP wanted to address civic administration issues and provide better, transparent services; former Trinamool councillor Sumala Agarwal said she supported him in the interest of development.
BJP and supporters
Trinamool Congress and former chairman
Reason for the change in municipal leadership
BJP and supporters
Bhaduri said the BJP took responsibility to address civic issues, prevent illegal construction and unnecessary taxation, and provide transparent services. Sumala Agarwal said she supported him for English Bazar’s development.
Trinamool Congress and former chairman
Trinamool district president Abdul Rahim Boxi alleged attempts were being made to wipe out the party through conspiracies and said it was monitoring developments and would act at the right time.
Status of councillors formerly elected on the Trinamool symbol
BJP and supporters
Sadar SDO S D Sarkar said 11 councillors formally gave up the Trinamool symbol and, because they were more than one-third, did not attract the cited anti-defection provision and were treated as Independents.
Trinamool Congress and former chairman
Former chairman Krishnendu Narayan Choudhury said Trinamool had split and that the councillors could function if they were legally accepted as Independents.
Key facts
- Municipality
- English Bazar municipality
- Council size
- 29 members
- Chairman elected
- Amlan Bhaduri, BJP MLA and municipal councillor
- Vote tally
- 15 votes: three BJP councillors and 12 Independents
- Absent councillors
- Three
- Defection status
- Sadar SDO S D Sarkar said 11 councillors had formally given up the Trinamool symbol and were treated as Independents.
- Related development
- The BJP had taken control of Malda Zilla Parishad the previous day.
- Scheduled visit
- Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari was due to visit Malda on Thursday.
Quotes
Abdul Rahim Boxi
Malda Trinamool Congress district president
“People elected me as their MLA. But for the past four months, we could not control issues such as illegal construction and unnecessary tax collection because the municipality is an autonomous civic body. The party therefore decided that our participation was necessary to ensure corruption-free administration, prevent illegal construction, stop unnecessary taxation and provide better and transparent civic services.”
thestatesman.com
“We are aware that, under cover of darkness, attempts are being made with various conspiracies to wipe out the TMC. We are keeping a close watch on these developments and will take appropriate action at the right time.”
thestatesman.com
Sources
Related news
Malda Faces Uncertain October Polls for Rural, Urban Posts
BJP Wins Malda Rural Council Leadership With Trinamool Faction Support
BJP Rejects NCPI Tie-Up for Bengal Civic Polls
Malda Zilla Parishad Factions Trade Claims Ahead of Leadership Election
Krishnendu Choudhury Quits Englishbazar Civic Chief Post, Hints at Switch
Jalpaiguri councillors allege bullet threats as BJP denies involvement
West Bengal Records 2,454 Rapes in Five Months Under BJP
BJP Board Plans and Government Moves Dominate Political Updates
Gandhi Siblings Move Protest Into Akashvani Premises
