Murshidabad, 27 July (H.S.): Trinamool Congress suffered a setback in Jangipur Municipality of Murshidabad district after Chairman Mafizul Islam was removed from office following a no-confidence motion. According to sources, he resigned from the post shortly before the special meeting convened to decide his fate. The development has effectively brought the existing municipal board to an end.

The no-confidence motion had been initiated a few days ago by Vice-Chairman Santosh Choudhury, who, along with 11 councillors, submitted the proposal to the office of the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO). A special meeting was convened on Monday to consider the motion.

During the meeting, 15 Trinamool Congress councillors, three CPI(M) councillors, and one Congress councillor voted against Mafizul Islam. No BJP councillor attended the meeting. Following the vote, Mafizul Islam ceased to hold the office of Chairman.

Jangipur Municipality has 21 wards. In the last municipal elections, the Trinamool Congress won 15 seats, CPI(M) secured three, Congress two, and the BJP one. Later, a councillor from the Opposition joined the Trinamool Congress, strengthening the party's majority. Mafizul Islam was elected Chairman, while Santosh Choudhury became the Vice-Chairman.

However, differences within the ruling party intensified over the past few months, with the Vice-Chairman raising several allegations against the Chairman before moving the no-confidence motion.

Sources said that with municipal elections likely to be held in November, the state government may appoint an administrator to run the Jangipur Municipality until a new civic board is elected.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey