Kolkata Municipal Lockdown creates political uproar as councillors are denied entry into Kolkata Municipal Corporation’s assembly chamber, forcing Mala Roy and Firhad Hakim to hold the civic session outside amid allegations of political interference.
Kolkata Municipal Lockdown sparks political storm after councillors denied entry into assembly chamber
Qalam Times News Network
Kolkata | May 22, 2026
Kolkata Municipal Lockdown created an unprecedented political controversy on Friday after councillors of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) were unable to enter the official assembly chamber due to locked doors. The unexpected situation forced Chairperson Mala Roy to conduct the monthly municipal session outside the chamber in the Councillors’ Club Room.
Mayor Firhad Hakim and several councillors belonging mainly to the ruling All India Trinamool Congress attended the makeshift session. Opposition parties, however, were absent during the proceedings.
Locked Chamber Triggers Unusual Civic Crisis
The Kolkata Municipal Lockdown incident is being described by senior civic officials as an event without precedent in the history of the city corporation. Councillors arrived for the scheduled monthly session only to discover that the assembly hall remained locked.
According to officials present at the spot, Chairperson Mala Roy personally requested that the chamber be opened. Despite repeated appeals, the lock was reportedly not removed. Sources claimed that the newly appointed municipal secretary informed them that he had not formally assumed charge and therefore could not hand over the keys to the chamber.
With no alternative available, Roy decided to move the session to the nearby Councillors’ Club Room. The room lacked proper seating arrangements and did not initially have a microphone system. Councillors themselves rearranged tables and chairs to create a temporary meeting setup before proceedings finally began.
Mayor Firhad Hakim Calls Incident “An Insult to Democracy”
Deputy Mayor Atin Ghosh delivered his speech without a microphone during the early phase of the session. Later, a sound system was arranged before Mayor Firhad Hakim addressed the gathering.
Hakim sharply criticised the developments and stated that opening and closing the House falls under the authority of the Chairperson. He termed the incident “deeply unfortunate” and “an insult to democratic functioning.”
The mayor further warned that ignoring elected representatives could create a constitutional crisis. He stressed that municipal services cannot come to a halt, especially during the monsoon season when civic preparedness becomes crucial for Kolkata residents.
Mala Roy Demands Explanation
Before the session began, Mala Roy refrained from making extensive comments but confirmed that she had already instructed officials to unlock the chamber. She maintained that all councillors present were elected public representatives and had every right to conduct the official session.
Later, Roy said that a formal letter had been sent seeking clarification regarding who ordered the closure of the chamber and why elected councillors were prevented from entering. She added that despite changes in the state government, the municipal board remains legally elected and operational until December.
Roy described the incident as a “historic and shocking development” in the functioning of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation.
Trinamool Leaders Accuse BJP of Interference
Trinamool spokesperson and councillor Arup Chakraborty accused the newly elected Bharatiya Janata Party government in West Bengal of attempting to obstruct the functioning of the Trinamool-run civic body.
Speaking outside the municipal headquarters, Chakraborty said the KMC remains constitutionally valid and fully functional despite the political change at the state level. He alleged that efforts were being made to disrupt discussions related to public services and civic administration.
The controversy comes shortly after the BJP secured a decisive victory in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, ending Trinamool Congress’ long-standing rule in the state. However, Kolkata Municipal Corporation continues to remain under Trinamool’s control, intensifying political tensions between the state government and the city administration.
So far, no official reaction has been issued by BJP leaders regarding the allegations.
