The leadership of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) is facing mounting pressure over the selection of a new Mayor for the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, even as fresh tensions erupted over fears of public protests and potential “egg attacks” on party councillors. In a last-minute move, party chief Mamata Banerjee cancelled a crucial meeting of councillors that was scheduled to be held on Sunday afternoon at Trinamool Bhavan along the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass. The meeting, slated for 3:30 pm, was expected to address the leadership vacuum following recent developments in the civic body.
According to party sources, intelligence inputs indicated a high likelihood of protests outside the venue, with the BJP reportedly planning demonstrations. Additionally, there were concerns that public anger could spill over, with fears that councillors might face direct backlash, including being pelted with eggs.
Such apprehensions are not unfounded. Earlier, Abhishek Banerjee, the party’s national general secretary, was targeted with eggs by irate locals during a visit to Sonarpur in South 24 Parganas. In recent months, several other party leaders have also faced similar public humiliation across the state, particularly in the wake of corruption-related arrests, reflecting a growing undercurrent of public resentment.
The prospect of such incidents created panic among several councillors, many of whom reportedly refused to attend the meeting. Sources revealed that they communicated their reluctance to the party leadership, citing safety concerns and the risk of public humiliation.
Political observers suggest that the cancellation also reflects a calculated decision by Mamata ahead of her scheduled visit to Delhi on Monday. She is set to attend a high-profile meeting of the opposition alliance, INDIA, marking its first major gathering after the recent electoral setback. Any untoward incident — such as vandalism at the party office or attacks on councillors — could have adversely impacted the party’s national image on the eve of the meeting.
The crisis comes in the wake of Firhad Hakim’s dramatic resignation, which has left the Kolkata Municipal Corporation in a state of administrative uncertainty. Adding to the pressure, the state’s Department of Municipal Affairs and Urban Development has issued a notice seeking an explanation on why the municipal board should not be dissolved, giving a three-day deadline for a response.
Amid the escalating situation, the party is reportedly exploring alternative strategies to resolve the leadership deadlock. While public meetings have been put on hold, sources indicate that plans are underway to discreetly gather councillors at an undisclosed location to secure the signatures required for electing a new mayor.
Also read: Trinamool Congress implodes sooner than expected
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