Kolkata
Mamata Banerjee loyalist Firhad Hakim quits as Kolkata Mayor amid TMC turmoil
Kolkata/IBNS: Senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Firhad Hakim has resigned as the Mayor of Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), days after party chief Mamata Banerjee accepted his request to step down, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the party following its electoral setback in West Bengal.
Hakim, one of Banerjee's closest political associates and among the party's most influential leaders, had previously sought permission to resign from the mayoral post.
At the time, the TMC leadership had asked him to continue. However, after renewing his request on Wednesday, Banerjee agreed to his resignation.
Firhad Hakim resigns as Kolkata Mayor. He was no doubt the worst one till date. pic.twitter.com/ACMN4inKpJ
— Sudhanidhi Bandyopadhyay (@SudhanidhiB) June 5, 2026
“At that time, he was asked not to resign. However, he again requested Mamata Banerjee today to allow him to step down, following which she agreed," TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh told reporters outside Mamata Banerjee's Kalighat residence on Wednesday.
Resignation comes amid electoral setback
Hakim's resignation comes at a time when the TMC is grappling with the fallout from its recent Assembly election performance.
Current trends indicate that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is leading in 102 of Kolkata's 144 municipal wards, while the TMC is ahead in 42 wards.
Political observers have linked Hakim's decision to the party's broader challenges following its electoral defeat.
Discussions within political circles have centred on two possible factors behind his departure.
One interpretation suggests that the move reflects growing concerns within the party leadership following the poor election results and an apparent erosion of confidence among sections of the organisation.
Another view points to Hakim's position as one of the TMC's most prominent minority leaders, with some observers suggesting that the party's minority outreach strategy has come under increased scrutiny in the aftermath of the election outcome.
8-year Mayoral journey ends
Hakim has served as the Mayor of Kolkata since 2018 and has remained a key figure in both the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) and the West Bengal government.
Over the years, he has held several important ministerial portfolios and played a central role in the party's organisational and administrative structure.
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation has remained under Trinamool Congress control since 2010, making Hakim's resignation one of the most significant leadership changes within the civic body in recent years.
The party has not yet announced who will succeed him as Mayor.
Commissioner 'ready' to run KMC
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation's commissioner, Smita Pandey, told reporters on Friday that she was "fully ready" to run the city corporation as an administrator, in the absence of the mayor.
"We are fully ready to run the Kolkata Municipal Corporation as administrator," the senior IAS officer said.
Political uncertainty deepens within TMC
Hakim's exit comes amid increasing turbulence within the Trinamool Congress.
The party has witnessed a series of resignations by councillors of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation in recent weeks, raising concerns about organisational stability.
The latest development follows efforts by the party leadership to reorganise its legislative wing after the Assembly election results.
Last month, TMC general secretary and Lok Sabha MP Abhishek Banerjee submitted a letter to the Assembly Speaker's office naming Sovandeb Chattopadhyay as Leader of Opposition, Nayna Bandopadhyay and Asima Patra as deputy leaders of the opposition, and Firhad Hakim as the Chief Whip of the Trinamool Congress legislature party.
Dissident MLAs back Ritabrata Banerjee
The internal crisis escalated further when a group of dissident TMC legislators approached the Assembly Speaker with letters of support from 58 MLAs endorsing expelled leader Ritabrata Banerjee for the post of Leader of Opposition.
Ritabrata Banerjee had been expelled from the Trinamool Congress earlier this week on charges of anti-party activities.
According to reports, 58 of the party's 80 MLAs rallied behind Ritabrata Banerjee and fellow dissident Sandipan Saha, creating one of the most significant rebellions in the party's history.
The Speaker subsequently accepted the submission and recognised Ritabrata Banerjee as the new Leader of Opposition.
Leadership challenges continue for TMC
Hakim's resignation adds another layer of uncertainty to a party already dealing with internal divisions and leadership challenges following the recent election results.
With organisational restructuring underway and dissident voices becoming increasingly prominent, the Trinamool Congress faces a period of significant political adjustment both within the Assembly and across its wider party structure.
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