After years of administrative control without an elected board, Howrah Municipal Corporation may finally be heading toward elections, with BJP leaders stepping up pressure for an early civic poll. The demand comes amid growing public dissatisfaction over deteriorating civic services in the city.
The term of the previous Trinamool Congress board ended in December 2018, and since then, the civic body has been run by administrators. Residents have repeatedly complained about poor infrastructure, drainage issues, and lack of basic services. With a new political shift in the state, BJP leaders are now pushing for immediate elections to restore an elected governing body.
On Wednesday, BJP’s Howrah district president Gauranga Bhattacharya visited the municipal headquarters and held a meeting with the Municipal Commissioner, who is currently functioning as the administrator. During the meeting, he urged the administration to expedite the election process and ensure that governance is handed back to elected representatives without further delay.
Bhattacharya also raised concerns about the city’s preparedness ahead of the monsoon season. Highlighting Howrah’s recurring flooding issues, he warned that the absence of an elected board could worsen the situation this year. “We want elections to be conducted at the earliest, but we are also concerned that without proper governance, Howrah may face severe waterlogging again during the rains,” he said.
In addition to civic issues, BJP leaders also interacted with temporary employees of the corporation, listening to their grievances related to job security and working conditions. The visit also saw a political shift within the municipal workforce, as several members of a Trinamool-backed employees’ union reportedly switched allegiance to the BJP.
The developments indicate a growing political churn within the civic body, as the BJP seeks to consolidate its position ahead of the anticipated elections. With pressure mounting and administrative challenges persisting, all eyes are now on when the long-pending civic polls in Howrah will finally take place.
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