TMC councillors demand ouster of Asok Bhattacharya from Mayor's post

Darjeeling: Trinammol Congress has launched an agitation in Siliguri, demanding the resignation of CPI(M) leader Asok Bhattacharya from the post of Siliguri Municipal Corporation Mayor. This comes in the wake of Bhattacharya's visit to China, while the town is grappling with a dengue outbreak.

"While there is a dengue outbreak in Siliguri with hundreds affected along with 4 dead, Asok Bhattacharya, the Mayor, along with other Left Front councilors, have been on a visit to China leaving the public to face the crisis. The conservancy service has broken down totally in Siliguri, leading to the outbreak. Under such conditions we demand immediate resignation of Bhattacharya from the post of Mayor," stated Ranjan Sarkar, TMC Councillor and president, Darjeeling District TMC (plains).

Incidentally, ward number 1, 2, 3, 5, 19 and 21 are the worst affected. More than 850 persons have been reported to be affected by the vector-borne disease in the Darjeeling district since January this year. Siliguri alone has reported more than 370 cases in September and October itself.

Bhattacharya, leading an entourage including Municipal Corporation chairman Dilip Singh, councillor Kamal Agarwal and Siliguri Mahakuma Parishad Sabhadhipati Tapash Sarkar, had visited China from October 23 to October 31, following an invitation from the Chinese consulate.

It may be mentioned that the Siliguri Municipal Corporation, having 47 wards, is under the rule of the Left Front, backed by Congress.

TMC councillors staged a sit-in demonstration in front of the Mayor's chamber and also burnt his effigy.