Kajal Sheikh resigns as Birbhum Zilla Parishad chief ahead of no-trust vote
Synopsis
Trinamool MLA Kajal Sheikh quit as Birbhum Zilla Parishad president the day before a no-confidence vote, rather than face near-certain defeat at the hands of 19 party colleagues. The episode lays bare a sharp factional split inside the TMC in Birbhum, with Sheikh aligned to the rival Ritabrata Trinamool group against the Mamata Banerjee mainstream.
Key Takeaways
Kajal Sheikh resigned as Birbhum Zilla Parishad president on 20 August , one day before a scheduled no-confidence vote.
His resignation letter was submitted to the Burdwan Divisional Commissioner ; he has been directed to hand over charge within five days .
19 of 52 Trinamool Congress Zilla Parishad members had signed the no-trust motion, alleging Sheikh had not visited the office since Assembly election results were declared.
Sheikh is associated with the rebel Ritabrata Trinamool faction, distancing himself from the Mamata Banerjee -led mainstream TMC.
TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh criticised Sheikh's camp, alleging intimidation and police pressure in the dispute.
Trinamool Congress MLA Kajal Sheikh resigned as Birbhum Zilla Parishad president on Thursday, 20 August, submitting his resignation letter to the Burdwan Divisional Commissioner — one day before a scheduled no-confidence vote that political observers say he expected to lose. Officials confirmed the resignation was accepted and directed Sheikh to hand over charge to the Zilla Parishad executive officer within five days.
The No-Confidence Motion
The no-trust motion was moved by 19 Trinamool Congress members of the 52-member Birbhum Zilla Parishad, with the vote scheduled for Friday. The petitioning members alleged that Sheikh had not visited the Zilla Parishad office since the Assembly election results were declared, effectively stalling administrative work and preventing standing committee meetings from taking place. The letter seeking the motion, submitted to the district administration, was signed by several executive and ordinary members, including Bikash Roy Chowdhury.
The Zilla Parishad's Composition
Of the 52 members in the Birbhum Zilla Parishad, 51 were elected on Trinamool Congress tickets and one represents the Congress. Following the death of one member, the Trinamool's effective strength has since fallen to 50. According to political observers, the fact that 19 of those members moved the motion signals a significant internal rift within the party's local apparatus.
Sheikh's Political Alignment
Sheikh, who won the Hansan Assembly seat on a Trinamool ticket, has distanced himself from the faction led by All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo and former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. He is reportedly now associated with the rival group known as Ritabrata Trinamool, placing him squarely in the rebel camp of the party.
What the Mamata Faction Said
Trinamool MLA Kunal Ghosh, aligned with the Mamata Banerjee faction, took a pointed swipe at Sheikh's political position. 'On the other hand, all the good Trinamools are there (BJP). Then why is there so much bickering among the good ones? In fact, everything is being done through the police and through threats and intimidation, which is very unfortunate,' Ghosh said.
What Happens Next
With Sheikh's resignation accepted, the Birbhum Zilla Parishad will now need to identify a new president. The episode underscores deepening factional tensions within the TMC in Birbhum district, a region that has historically been a flashpoint for intra-party conflict. How the party consolidates control of the Parishad in the coming weeks will be closely watched ahead of future local body elections.
Point of View
And this episode suggests that internal discipline — once enforced through strong local bosses — is fraying in ways that could complicate the TMC's hold on local bodies ahead of the next election cycle.
NationPress
20 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Kajal Sheikh resign as Birbhum Zilla Parishad president?
Kajal Sheikh resigned on 20 August, one day before a no-confidence motion against him was scheduled to be voted on. According to political observers, he stepped down because he expected the motion to pass, given that 19 of the 52 Zilla Parishad members had already signed it.
What was the reason behind the no-confidence motion against Sheikh?
The 19 Trinamool Congress members who moved the motion alleged that Sheikh had not visited the Birbhum Zilla Parishad office since the Assembly election results were declared. They said his prolonged absence had stalled administrative work and prevented standing committee meetings from being held.
Which political faction is Kajal Sheikh aligned with?
Sheikh has distanced himself from the Mamata Banerjee-led mainstream TMC and is reportedly aligned with the rival Ritabrata Trinamool faction. He continues to hold the Hansan Assembly seat, which he won on a Trinamool ticket.
What is the current composition of the Birbhum Zilla Parishad?
The Birbhum Zilla Parishad has 52 members — 51 elected on Trinamool Congress tickets and one from the Congress. Following the death of one member, the TMC's effective strength has fallen to 50.
What happens now that Sheikh has resigned?
Officials confirmed the resignation was accepted and directed Sheikh to hand over charge to the Zilla Parishad executive officer within five days. The Parishad will need to elect a new president, with the TMC's Mamata Banerjee faction expected to consolidate control.
