Persistent internal discord within the Trinamul Congress-led Krishnagar Municipality has taken a more assertive turn, as a group of rebel councillors—comprising a majority within the board—has renewed its no-confidence motion against chairperson Rita Das.
In a move unprecedented in the municipality’s recent history, the dissident councillors have not only submitted a formal requisition for a special board meeting but have also made the letter public by uploading it on the municipality’s official website.
The motion, signed by 12 councillors—including 10 from the ruling party—has cited administrative inaction, failure to convene statutory meetings, and a collapse in civic services as grounds for the resolution. The letter states that the special meeting to discuss the motion will be held on 28 July within the municipal chamber. Three councillors — Mr Moloy Dutta, Mr Shishir Karmakar and Mr Sougata Krishna Deb — formally issued the notice after the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson reportedly failed to respond to earlier submissions.
The public disclosure of the letter on the municipality’s website, as well as its physical display within the municipal premises, signals an unambiguous declaration by the rebel bloc, which now claims the support of 15 of the 24 sitting councillors. One seat in the 25-member board remains vacant following the death of a councillor.
Notably, this is the third time within a month that the dissidents have pushed for a no-confidence resolution. The initial motion was submitted on 25 June with the signatures of 13 Trinamul councillors, along with Congress councillor Shantashree Saha of Ward 14 and Independent councillor Mr Asit Saha. A second notice followed on 11 July, but in both instances, the Chairperson refrained from calling a meeting within the legally mandated period. Citing this continued inaction, the councillors invoked their statutory right to convene a session themselves.
When approached by The Statesman for comment, Ms Das declined to elaborate. “I don’t speak anything. What the party will instruct, I will do accordingly,” she said, indicating that any response would come only from the party high command.
The impasse has resulted in widespread discontent among the residents of Krishnagar, who allege that municipal services have steadily deteriorated. Several key infrastructure projects have stalled, and routine civic services — including garbage clearance, road maintenance and drainage — have suffered significantly, particularly during the ongoing monsoon.
“The town is in disrepair, and the municipal board has been rendered ineffective. Despite repeated appeals, the chairperson has refused to act. We were compelled to bring this motion, and we have informed the public through the municipality’s website as a gesture of transparency,” Ms Saha told The Statesman.
In the backdrop of these developments, a high-level administrative meeting was convened recently, attended by Nadia district magistrate Arun Prasad, superintendent of police Amarnath K, and sub-divisional officer Sharadwati Choudhury. According to municipal sources, the discussions centred on allegations of financial irregularities, including procedural anomalies in tender approvals and concerns over the procurement of materials such as bitumen drums. Yet, no effective resolution emerged from the closed-door session.
Party observers view the renewed turbulence in Krishnagar with concern, particularly as the town, with a civic legacy spanning over 150 years, is seen as electorally significant ahead of the 2026 Assembly polls. Despite earlier attempts by senior party leaders to mediate, including behind-the-scenes talks during the 21 July rally, the organisational fissures appear far from bridged.
The 28 July meeting will be crucial in determining the course of the municipality’s immediate political future. Whether it leads to a leadership change or plunges the board into deeper uncertainty remains to be seen. For the citizens of Krishnagar, however, the demand is clear: governance must resume, and the deadlock must end.