TMC sees mass exodus after over 100 councillors resign

In West Bengal, after defeat in the 2026 Assembly elections, Mamata Banerjee led TMC is facing a big political crisis. As per reports, TMC councillors in several municipalities have resigned in groups, while many elected representatives have reportedly stopped attending offices. As per reports, over 100 councillors have stepped down.
In North 24 Paraganas, where 16 of 23 councillors resigned last week in Halisahar. A day later, 30 of 35 councillors left in Bhatpara, including municipal chairperson Reba Saha. These mass resignations have also triggered speculation that administrators could soon replace elected boards. Another 14 councillors resigned from Kanchrapara Municipality.Other municipalities which saw major resignations were Garulia Municipality with 18 resignations, North Barrackpore Municipality with 15 and Contai Municipality with 14 resignations.In Diamond Harbour, eight councillors also resigned from the 16-member civic body.
The wave of resignations started after the Suvendu Adhikari-led government clarified that the past activities of the local bodies would be scrutinised and, accordingly, action would be taken. In some municipalities, TMC councillors have stopped going to their offices altogether. The government has started appointing administrators in such bodies, Urban Development and Municipal Affairs (UDMA) minister Agnimitra Paul said.
Meanwhile, on Monday, Lok Sabha MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar resigned as the Barasat organisational district president. A day later, Dastidar attended an administrative meeting chaired by West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. Two TMC MLAs also joined the meeting. Dastidar has been one of the sharpest critics of the party since the poll rout. Dastidar squarely blamed the move to hire political consultancy firm I-PAC as the key reason that "ruined" the party. "I do not think difficult work can be accomplished through fly-by-night agencies," she said.