Mamata to seek performance reports every six months, 9 of 16 boroughs will have women as chairperson
Arnab Ganguly, Calcutta: Mamata Banerjee on Thursday announced Firhad Hakim as the next mayor of Calcutta in what is likely to be a resurrection of one of the most trusted lieutenants of the Trinamul chief.
At a meeting held at Maharashtra Nivas, Mamata iterated that she would keep the Calcutta Municipal Corporation under her control. Hakim’s reinstatement is likely to strain ties between Harish Chatterjee Street, which is Mamata’s preferred work station, and Camac Street, form where Trinamul’s heir apparent Abhishek Banerjee holds fort.
Abhishek, appointed as the national general secretary of the party after Trinamul won a third term in the state Assembly elections, was in favour of replacing many of the sitting councillors including Hakim, who was arrested in May for his role in the Narada bribery sting operation.
Along with Hakim, Mamata has also retained his deputy, Atin Ghosh, who is also not favoured by Camac Street. The Calcutta South MP, Mala Roy, will be the chairperson of the Calcutta Municipal Corporation.
While speaking with councillors, Mamata once again brushed aside all complaints of intimidation and coercion levelled against the Trinamul during Sunday’s poll. “Didi said this was the most peaceful election. There was no disturbance anywhere,” said a Trinamul councillor.
Mamata has warned the newly-appointed board she would seek performance reports every six months, again making it clear that at least in the running of the Calcutta Municipal Corporation she will not tolerate any interference.
The board under Hakim will have a 13-member team of mayor-in-council members. Out of the 16 boroughs, Mamata has decided nine will have women as chairperson.
Though Hakim was retained in the cabinet, he had to settle for a lesser department than his preferred urban development, which also allowed him control over not just development projects in Calcutta but the rest of the state.
Before the candidates’ list was announced, Hakim had requested the chief minister to relieve him from the ministerial responsibilities, but retain him as mayor. Abhishek was opposed to this.
While Camac Sreet preferred the late minister and first mayor from Trinamul Subrata Mukherjee’s sister Tanima Chattipadhyay from his ward, the ticket went to someone else.
“Though Tanima di was assured she would get all support from certain quarters, the seat was finally won by Didi’s preferred candidate,” said a Trinamul source.
With Calcutta firmly under her thumb, Mamata is now preparing for elections to the remaining 111 civic boards across the state, voting for which is likely to be held in January and February next year.
