Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim, a senior leader of the Trinamool Congress and a close aide to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, officially resigned from his position on Wednesday. The sudden departure of one of the most prominent faces of the party has sent shockwaves through the political landscape of West Bengal, according to reports from NDTV and The Daily Star.
Hakim, 67, has served as the Mayor of Kolkata since 2018. Party insiders confirmed that he submitted his resignation to Mamata Banerjee, who finally accepted his request after he had previously expressed a desire to step down due to administrative challenges and growing political pressure within the state. His exit is being viewed as a significant setback for the Trinamool Congress, particularly given his deep influence among the minority communities in the region.
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation has been under the firm control of the Trinamool Congress since 2010. Hakim’s dual roles in managing the city’s administration and holding various state cabinet portfolios made him a cornerstone of the party’s power structure. However, recent weeks have been marked by increasing internal instability, with several party councillors threatening to quit and reports of widespread administrative friction surfacing regularly.
Political analysts suggest that the vacuum left by Hakim’s departure could trigger a major reshuffle within the party. While speculation regarding a successor is already mounting, the party leadership has yet to make an official announcement. The resignation comes at a time when the Trinamool Congress is grappling with internal dissent and a perceived loss of grip over local administrative bodies across West Bengal.
Last month, Trinamool Congress General Secretary and Member of Parliament Abhishek Banerjee sent a formal letter to the Speaker of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, proposing changes in the opposition leadership roles. This move, combined with Hakim’s resignation, indicates a period of turbulence within the party as it tries to navigate a complex electoral and organizational environment.
The ongoing political climate in West Bengal has been characterized by shifting alliances and intense internal debate. As the party deals with the fallout of Hakim’s decision, observers are watching closely to see how the Trinamool Congress manages the administration of the city in the coming days. The challenges facing the city’s municipal government are substantial, and the party will need a quick resolution to avoid further erosion of its public mandate.
What remains unclear is whether Hakim intends to retain his ministerial roles within the state government or if he plans to withdraw from administrative duties entirely. Neither the party high command nor official government channels have released a detailed statement regarding his future political path. As one of the most senior figures in the Trinamool hierarchy, Hakim’s exit marks a turning point that will likely have long-term consequences for the party’s influence in the capital of West Bengal.
