Krishnendu Narayan Chowdhury removed as chairman of English Bazar municipality

Krishnendu Narayan Chowdhury has been removed from the post of the chairman of English Bazar municipality in Malda.

The name of his successor has not yet been announced. Meanwhile, Nihar Ranjan Ghosh, Chowdhury’s arch rival who defeated him in 2016 Assembly election by over 40,000 votes as an independent candidate joined Trinamool Congress. Both Congress and CPI(M) had supported Ghosh against Chowdhury in the election.

Congress on Wednesday brought a no confidence motion against 7 defectors of the party who had recently joined Trinamool Congress.

Trinamool Congress vice president Mukul Roy and Suvendu Adhikari, state Transport minister who looks after Malda and Murshidabad districts had detailed talks with Ghosh over his joining the party.

Ghosh had categorically stated that it had become impossible for him and his close aides to work with Chowdhury.

Chowdhury joined Trinamool Congress from Congress and was elected from English Bazar Assembly seat in 2011 and served as ministers in food procession and tourism departments. His differences with Sabitri Mitra, a veteran leader of Congress who also joined Trinamool Congress took an ugly turn in 2014 and both even refused to share the same dais.

Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee held several rounds of talks with them but failed to pacify them. In 2016 election, both lost and Trinamool Congress despite its great election success failed to get a single seat in Malda.

Banerjee became visibly disturbed over the performance of party leaders in Malda and warned them of stern action if they carried on with infighting in the first meeting she held after winning the poll in May.

Chowdhury was reprimanded but he continued to function as the chairman of English Bazar municipality.

Chowdhury failed to realise that because of his highhandedness and arrogance he had lost control over the area. There was massive erosion of support base and he lost to Ghosh.

There was a rumour after the election that Ghosh would join Trinamool Congress.However, he declined 

and told senior leaders that he could join the party only if Chowdhury was removed.

Moajjum Hossain, district Trinamool Congress president said that the municipality would function under the leadership of Ghosh and his associates.

Chowdhury said as a disciplined party worker he would accept the decision.