Civic Boss Resignation Controversy 2025: The political landscape of West Bengal has been jolted by the Cooch Behar Civic Boss Resignation Controversy 2025, where Rabindranath Ghosh, chairman of the Cooch Behar municipality, has refused to step down despite directives from the district Trinamool Congress (TMC) leadership. His defiance has triggered factionalism within the party, raising concerns about governance, unity, and electoral prospects in North Bengal — a region where the BJP remains a formidable challenger.

2. Background: TMC vs BJP in Cooch Behar

Cooch Behar has historically been a political battleground:

• In the 2021 Assembly elections, BJP won seven of nine seats, while TMC managed only two.
• The balance shifted slightly after Udayan Guha won the Dinhata by‑election, raising TMC’s tally to three MLAs.
• In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, TMC reclaimed the Cooch Behar seat by projecting unity.

The current feud threatens to undo that fragile unity, potentially giving the BJP an advantage in the upcoming 2026 Assembly polls.

3. Civic Boss Resignation Controversy 2025: The Directive to Resign

On November 11, 2025, district president Abhijit De Bhowmik sent Ghosh a WhatsApp message instructing him to resign within seven days. A written communication followed the next day. Ghosh, however, rejected the directive, arguing that only the state leadership or Mamata Banerjee herself had the authority to demand his resignation. He declared: “If the state leadership or Mamata Banerjee asks me to step down, I will do so without a minute’s delay.”

4. Ghosh’s Defiance and Supporters’ Mobilization

More than a week after the directive, Ghosh remains firmly in his post. His supporters have:

• Escalated the matter to Mamata Banerjee, sending a letter signed by over 500 people, including senior leaders like Partha Pratim Roy and Binay Krishna Barman.
• Threatened to take to the streets if attempts to unseat him continue.
• Gathered regularly at Roy’s residence to strategize.

This mobilization reflects the deep factional divide within the district TMC.

5. The Two Factions in Cooch Behar TMC

According to sources, the district committee is split into two camps:

• Faction One: Led by district president Abhijit De Bhowmik, supported by state minister Udayan Guha, MP Jagadish Chandra Barama Basunia, and district chairman Girindranath Barman.
• Faction Two: Led by Rabindranath Ghosh, supported by Partha Pratim Roy, Khokan Mia, Binay Krishna Barman, Parimal Barman, Azizul Haque, and Laxmikant Sarkar.

This division has created a parallel leadership structure, undermining party discipline.

6. Political Observers’ Concerns

Analysts warn that the timing of such open discord is damaging for TMC:

• In North Bengal, BJP considers the region its stronghold.
• In 2021, BJP won 33 of 54 seats in the region.
• With Assembly polls only months away, factional feuds in a key district like Cooch Behar place TMC at a disadvantage.

Observers argue that unless Mamata Banerjee intervenes decisively, the feud could erode TMC’s electoral prospects.

7. Governance Implications

The controversy has broader governance implications:

• Municipal stability: Prolonged factionalism could paralyze civic administration in Cooch Behar.
• Public trust: Citizens may lose confidence in TMC’s ability to govern effectively.
• Electoral credibility: Internal disputes weaken TMC’s claim of being a united front against BJP.

8. Historical Context: Factionalism in Bengal Politics

Factionalism is not new in Bengal politics. Both TMC and its predecessor, the Congress, have faced internal splits. However, the stakes are higher in North Bengal, where BJP has made significant inroads. The current feud recalls earlier episodes where internal divisions cost parties crucial seats.

9. Possible Outcomes

Several scenarios could unfold:

• Mamata’s intervention: If she orders Ghosh to resign, the dispute may settle.
• No‑confidence motion: District leadership may attempt to remove Ghosh through the civic board.
• Street protests: Ghosh’s supporters may escalate agitation, deepening the crisis.
• Electoral fallout: BJP could exploit the discord to consolidate its position.

10. Conclusion: A Test of Leadership

The Cooch Behar Civic Boss Resignation Controversy 2025 is a test of Mamata Banerjee’s leadership and TMC’s organizational discipline. Ghosh’s defiance reflects the fragility of party unity in North Bengal, while the factional feud underscores the challenges of balancing local leadership with central authority.

With Assembly elections looming, the outcome of this controversy will shape not only the future of Cooch Behar but also the broader trajectory of TMC in Bengal politics.

🔗 Government External Links

For further reading and official updates, here are relevant government sources:

• Election Commission of India (ECI – Electoral Roll Management): https://eci.gov.in
• Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal: https://ceowestbengal.nic.in
• Ministry of Home Affairs – State Governance Division: https://mha.gov.in
• Press Information Bureau (Government of India): https://pib.gov.in
• West Bengal Municipal Affairs Department: https://wbmunicipal.gov.in

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