Trinamool Congress councillor Debalina Biswas has stepped down from her position as Chairperson of Kolkata Municipal Corporation’s Borough No. 9. This decision has led to various political speculations in the wake of her resignation letter which emerged on May 20. The timing of her departure comes just a day after the KMC issued notices regarding alleged illegal activities at properties owned by Abhishek Banerjee.

In her handwritten resignation letter dated May 19, Biswas addressed KMC Chairperson Mala Roy, stating her intention to resign from the Borough Committee but affirming her commitment to continue as a councillor for Ward 74. Biswas explained that her decision is rooted in party-related matters, indicating dissatisfaction with the internal dynamics of the party.

Biswas remarked, “I have held the post for quite some time, but now I am stepping aside. I am doing this entirely for party-related reasons.” She claimed that pressure from senior leadership and party officials followed the issuance of notices concerning Abhishek Banerjee’s properties.

Background on Notices Issued

The KMC issued notices to 17 properties associated with Abhishek Banerjee, out of which 14 are located in Borough 9, the very area governed by Biswas. Reports indicate that Biswas began receiving calls from party leaders late on the night the notices were issued, which raised concerns for her regarding the complications arising from the situation.

She expressed her unease, stating, “I wasn’t even aware when the notice went out yesterday. Suddenly, calls started coming in late at night. I felt, ‘No, this is not right.’” She further connected her resignation to the party’s attempts to compel her to make statements she did not believe were appropriate.

Biswas commented on the inadequacy of a cover-up approach, stating the importance of addressing why such notices were issued. She insisted that those responsible for the situation should be held accountable, marking a clear divergence from her party’s line, which has faced scrutiny over the allegations against Banerjee by the BJP.

Implications of the Resignation

Political analysts have drawn connections between Biswas’s resignation and the Trinamool Congress’s recent losses in the Bhabanipur constituency, where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee faced a defeat to BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari by a margin of 15,105 votes in the May 4 elections. This defeat has raised concerns about the party’s standing in certain wards, with indications of weak performance in four out of the five KMC wards within the constituency.

Sources within the Trinamool Congress have suggested that Biswas was urged to resign by a faction within the party’s leadership. Those close to her indicated that she accepted “moral responsibility” and sought to help “revitalise and strengthen the party’s organisational structure” while remaining in her position as a councillor.

As of now, Biswas has stated that her resignation is yet to be officially accepted by the party. The ongoing developments surrounding the notices and her resignation reflect the growing tensions within the Trinamool Congress and the impact of these events on the party’s electoral strategies moving forward.

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