Mass Exodus Hits TMC: Over 100 Municipal Councillors Quit Civic Bodies After Bengal Poll Rout

Last Updated:May 26, 2026, 10:05 IST

Political observers say the councillors quiting civic bodies point to a deeper weakening of the TMC’s once-powerful urban political network.

A wave of resignations across municipal bodies in West Bengal is emerging as the latest sign of political instability inside the Trinamool Congress (TMC) after its defeat in the 2026 Assembly elections.

More than 100 councillors have resigned from different municipalities across the state, exposing growing unrest within the party’s grassroots civic structure. Political observers say the developments point to a deeper weakening of the TMC’s once-powerful urban political network.

Mass resignations of councillors across municipalities

The biggest shock came from Bhatpara Municipality, where 30 of the municipality’s 35 councillors, including chairperson Reba Raha, resigned on Friday.

In nearby Halisahar Municipality, 16 out of 23 councillors stepped down.

Another 14 councillors resigned from Kanchrapara Municipality.

Other municipalities witnessing major resignations include Garulia Municipality with 18 resignations, North Barrackpore Municipality with 15 and Contai Municipality with 14.

In Diamond Harbour Municipality, eight councillors resigned from the 16-member civic body.

Why are the councillors resigning?

Publicly, several councillors cited personal or organisational reasons for stepping down.

Privately, however, many TMC leaders admitted that fear of police action and corruption investigations was spreading rapidly through municipalities where councillors had long operated with political protection under the previous government.

The nervousness increased after a series of arrests involving municipal leaders linked to the TMC.

On May 20, police arrested Ranjan Poddar, councillor of Ward 34 in Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation and chairman of Borough 5, over allegations that money was regularly collected from bus and auto operators in Salt Lake and Karunamoyee areas.

Days earlier, Bidhannagar councillor Samrat Barua was arrested in another alleged extortion case.

In Cooch Behar, TMC councillor Ujjal Tar was arrested over allegations linked to threats and intimidation during the Assembly election campaign.

Diamond Harbour model under fire

The resignations in Diamond Harbour triggered major political debate because the area has long been associated with TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee.

The crisis came shortly after the BJP’s strong victory in the Falta Assembly repoll.

BJP candidate Debangshu Panda secured more than 71 per cent vote share, while TMC nominee Jahangir Khan slipped to fourth position and lost his deposit.

The eight councillors who resigned from Diamond Harbour Municipality accused the party leadership of denying them authority to run the civic body.

Councillor Tamal Halder attacked the much-publicised “Diamond Harbour Model".

“For so long, a balloon was inflated in the name of the Diamond Harbour model. Now the balloon has burst," Halder said. He alleged that police officers controlled the system and elected representatives had little freedom.

Several councillors also accused sections of the police of involvement in alleged corruption linked to illegal pond filling, unauthorised construction and extortion.

Cracks inside Kolkata Municipal Corporation

Signs of unrest have also appeared inside the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, long considered one of the TMC’s strongest political fortresses.

TMC councillor Debalina Biswas resigned as chairperson of Borough No. 9 while continuing as councillor of Ward 74. The resignation came shortly after KMC issued notices to 17 properties linked to Abhishek Banerjee and his family.

The confrontation intensified further when the monthly KMC session could not be held inside the main chamber because civic officials allegedly did not open the room.

The TMC councillors were forced to conduct proceedings from the recreation room inside the KMC headquarters. Mayor Firhad Hakim later described the developments as “a black day for the municipality".

BJP strategy

Political analysts believe the BJP is pursuing a two-pronged strategy. On one hand, the BJP government is presenting its actions as an administrative clean-up of municipalities allegedly affected by corruption and syndicate politics.

On the other hand, the pressure created by investigations and arrests appears to be weakening the local civic structure that helped sustain the TMC’s political machinery for years.

According to experts, municipalities in Bengal functioned not just as civic institutions but also as political ecosystems controlling contracts, local influence and mobilisation networks. As a result of the councillors’ resignation, the party is losing grip at the grassroots.

The growing tension has prompted former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to hold meetings with councillors from several municipalities, including Bidhannagar, Dum Dum and Baranagar. Banerjee warned party members against deserting the organisation after electoral defeat. “We do not need workers who stay only when the party wins and leave after a defeat," she reportedly told councillors.

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