Two Trinamool Congress (TMC) councillors on Wednesday, 27 May stepped down from their administrative posts at the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), in what is being read as a public expression of discontent following the party's poor showing in the recent West Bengal Assembly elections. Crucially, neither resigned their councillor seats — only the institutional positions they held within the civic body.

Who Resigned and From What

Sushanta Ghosh, councillor of Ward No. 108, submitted his resignation as chairman of Borough No. 12 to KMC Commissioner Smita Pandey. Arup Chakraborty, councillor of Ward No. 98, simultaneously resigned from his membership of the KMC accounts committee. Both leaders subsequently submitted their resignation letters to KMC Mayor Firhad Hakim at his office. Their arrival together at the KMC headquarters in central Kolkata on Wednesday afternoon had initially triggered speculation before the resignations were confirmed.

Earlier, Debalina Biswas, councillor of Ward No. 74, had similarly resigned as chairperson of Borough No. 9, sending her letter to KMC Chairperson Mala Roy. According to Trinamool sources, her decision was linked to the party's debacle in the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency.

What the Councillors Said

Speaking to reporters, Chakraborty said the Assembly poll outcome 'was not desirable' and that 'the verdict of the people must be taken seriously.' He added that if they could not accept defeat, 'the previous victory would become meaningless.' He also raised concern about the safety of party workers and questioned the absence of senior ministers 'who had benefited for so long.'

Ghosh echoed similar sentiments, saying he would resign as a councillor too if that was what the people wanted. Both statements signal a rare public acknowledgement of accountability within TMC ranks at the grassroots level.

Sushanta Ghosh and the Shooting Incident

Ghosh's resignation carries additional weight given a security incident involving him. On 15 November last year, an assailant allegedly attempted to shoot him outside his residence, arriving on a scooter. Ghosh escaped unhurt after the bullets reportedly failed to fire. He and his supporters subsequently detained the alleged shooter, identified as Yuvraj Singh. Three others — Afroz Khan alias Gulzar, a taxi driver named Ahmed Ali, and an alleged mastermind identified as Phool Babu — were later arrested.

Alongside his resignation, Ghosh raised concerns about the investigation into that incident, asserting it had 'not been conducted in the right direction.' He appealed to the state's current Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari to ensure a thorough probe into the shooting.

What This Signals for TMC

The resignations, though limited to civic posts rather than elected seats, are notable for the candour with which both councillors have spoken about the party's electoral setback. This is the second such step in quick succession at the KMC level, suggesting that discontent within TMC's municipal cadre may be wider than the party's leadership has publicly acknowledged. Whether these gestures of accountability translate into organisational reform within TMC — or remain isolated expressions of frustration — will be closely watched in the weeks ahead.