West Bengal

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; Bankura, June 17: Alka Sen Majumder, the Chairperson of Bankura Municipality, has resigned from her post, triggering intense political tension in the region. Her resignation comes shortly after a similar development in Sonamukhi Municipality, indicating major organizational changes within the ruling party’s municipal structures.

She had been expressing her desire to step down in close circles over the past few days, citing personal and organizational reasons. Recently, 16 Trinamool Congress councillors, including the Vice-Chairperson and four CIC members, submitted a letter to the District Magistrate raising a no-confidence motion against her. However, 10 of them later withdrew their support from the motion, creating further confusion within the municipal board. Since then, her presence in municipal activities had reportedly reduced significantly.

Wednesday, she formally submitted her resignation at the office of the Bankura Sadar Sub-Divisional Officer. After stepping down, Alka Sen Majumder stated that she had tried to fulfil her responsibilities with sincerity since being assigned the role by the party. She added that her decision was taken in respect of personal circumstances and organisational considerations, and that she would continue to serve the party in any responsibility assigned to her in the future.

The Trinamool Congress formed the municipal board in 2022, Alka Sen Majumder assumed the role of Chairperson of Bankura Municipality. However, over the past few years, the municipality has witnessed multiple administrative and political controversies, including internal disagreements within the board, dissatisfaction over development works in several wards, and repeated instances of factional conflict within the party.

Party sources claimed that the recent no-confidence motion was initiated by 16 Trinamool councillors, who alleged that the Chairperson had been acting outside party directives following political changes in the state. Some of the councillors also allegedly claimed that she was influenced by the opposition BJP, although no independent verification of these claims has been established. Later, 10 councillors reportedly withdrew their signatures from the motion.

Out of the 24-member Bankura Municipality board, 21 councillors belong to the Trinamool Congress. The remaining three are independent councillors, of whom two later joined the Trinamool Congress, according to reports.

Sonamukhi Municipality Chairperson Santosh Mukherjee also resigned citing personal reasons. A series of resignations of municipal chairpersons has now created fresh speculation and political debate across the district, intensifying discussions over internal party stability and administrative control.