Kolkata, 22 May (H.S.): An unusual situation unfolded at the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) on Friday after councillors arriving for the monthly general meeting found the council chamber locked, forcing the ruling Trinamool Congress to hold the meeting in the club room instead.

Despite waiting for some time, councillors were unable to enter the chamber as the door remained locked. KMC Chairperson Mala Roy and Mayor Firhad Hakim were present at the venue.

With no access to the main hall, the meeting was eventually conducted in the club room, where senior leaders, including Hakim, addressed the councillors. Hakim described the incident as a “dark day” for the civic body and urged the state government to avoid confrontation and work for public welfare.

Mala Roy said repeated requests were made to open the chamber, but no resolution was reached, forcing the meeting to be relocated.

The meeting was attended by around 90 of the 137 Trinamool councillors. However, the alternate venue reportedly lacked basic facilities such as a microphone system, making proceedings difficult.

Earlier in the day, the scheduled mayoral council meeting had been cancelled, and the monthly general meeting was also reportedly deferred, adding to the confusion. Meanwhile, administrative changes, including the transfer of the KMC secretary, have further fuelled political discussions within the civic body.

Hakim’s possible resignation has also been a subject of speculation in recent days, though no official confirmation has been made.

Trinamool leaders alleged that the developments reflect growing political tension within civic administration following recent changes in the state’s political landscape.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey