Kolkata, 05 June (H.S.) : A significant political development unfolded in West Bengal’s Cooch Behar district as the Mekhliganj Municipality witnessed a major setback for the Trinamool Congress (TMC), with the Chairman and six councillors switching allegiance to the Congress.

With this development, the Congress has effectively taken control of the municipality, which comprises nine wards.

The leaders joined the Congress on Friday at Vidhan Bhavan in Kolkata in the presence of West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee President Shubhankar Sarkar. Senior leaders Devprasad Roy and Biswajit Sarkar were also present on the occasion.

The political shift in the small yet strategically significant municipality has drawn attention amid ongoing realignments in North Bengal politics. Despite its limited size, Mekhliganj has gained political importance in recent months due to changing local dynamics.

Outgoing Chairman Prabhat Patni said he had initially wished to continue working for the people while remaining in the Trinamool Congress, but internal factionalism within the party made it difficult to function effectively. He also alleged that the prevailing situation had led to difficulties for common people and traders, prompting him to join the Congress.

However, former Mekhliganj MLA and TMC leader Paresh Chandra Adhikari said he was not consulted regarding the defection and asserted that he continues to remain with the Trinamool Congress.

Political analysts believe that the region has remained politically unstable since the BJP’s electoral gains in Cooch Behar, with growing internal dissent within the TMC now beginning to reflect in municipal bodies as well.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh