Firhad Hakim Steps Down As Kolkata Mayor Amid Trinamool Crisis

West Bengal’s political landscape witnessed significant turbulence on Wednesday after Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim, a close aide of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, resigned from his post amid growing unrest within the Trinamool Congress (TMC). The development comes at a time when the party is already grappling with internal dissent and a series of resignations from councillors within the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), deepening uncertainty over its organisational stability.

Firhad Hakim, one of the most prominent figures in the Trinamool Congress and a key minority face of the party, stepped down after reportedly seeking permission from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Party leaders indicated that Hakim had earlier expressed a desire to resign, citing difficulties in functioning following political developments in the state, but had been persuaded to continue at that time.

According to TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh, Hakim had once again approached the party leadership with his resignation request, which was eventually accepted. The resignation leaves the post of Kolkata Mayor vacant, with no immediate announcement regarding a successor. Hakim has served as Mayor since 2018 and has also held multiple ministerial portfolios in the West Bengal government over the years.

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The resignation adds to mounting political instability within the party as the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, long considered a stronghold of the TMC since 2010, faces internal challenges. In recent weeks, several councillors have reportedly stepped down, further fueling speculation about growing dissatisfaction within party ranks. The situation has raised questions about administrative continuity in one of India’s largest civic bodies.

The crisis within the Trinamool Congress has also been marked by factional tensions in the state Assembly. Reports indicate that dissident legislators met the Assembly Speaker and submitted support letters backing expelled MLA Ritabrata Banerjee for the post of Leader of Opposition. This move reportedly involved a group of 58 MLAs, signalling a significant internal rift within the party’s legislative wing.

As political uncertainty deepens, the TMC leadership is expected to address both the administrative vacuum in the Kolkata Mayor’s office and the widening internal divisions. The developments come at a sensitive time for the party, as it seeks to maintain cohesion amid growing challenges in West Bengal’s political environment.

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