Senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) Leader Firhad Hakim has resigned from the post of Mayor of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), bringing an end to his tenure as the city’s first citizen. Hakim said he wanted to step down “with head held high” and cited difficulties in carrying out his responsibilities effectively.
Hakim, popularly known as “Bobby” Hakim, had been serving as Kolkata Mayor since 2018 and is one of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s closest political associates. According to TMC leaders, he had earlier sought permission from Banerjee to resign but was asked to continue. However, after renewing his request, the TMC chief agreed to let him step down.
"I wanted to leave with my head held high. I sought permission from my leader, and she granted it," he said.
"When I first became mayor, I was confident about working for the city, but I never thought I could become a worthy successor to stalwarts like Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das, who once occupied this chair," he added.
Speaking about his decision, Hakim said he wanted to leave the post with dignity and self respect.
“Many people may say many things. But it was not possible to work in this manner,” Hakim said. “Here, Firhad Hakim is nobody. But the chair on which distinguished persons have sat has its own dignity. When I was mayor, I worked with authority and determination. I worked on relief efforts along with the people. From COVID to Amphan, it was a challenge for me. Now it is no longer possible. I cannot sit holding on to this chair and bring it into disrepute,” he added.
The resignation comes at a politically sensitive time for the TMC. The party has been dealing with internal turbulence, including resignations by several councillors and organisational challenges following recent political developments in West Bengal. Party leaders have described Hakim’s departure as part of a broader period of transition within the organisation.
Hakim submitted his resignation to Kolkata Municipal Corporation chairperson Mala Roy.
“Many tasks remain incomplete. However, I extend my best wishes to those who will run the municipality in the days ahead. They will run it better than I did. I appeal to the new chief minister: please help people. The people will keep in power whoever provides the best service,” he said.
Hakim has been one of the most prominent faces of the TMC in West Bengal politics. Besides serving as a Mayor, he has held important ministerial positions in the West Bengal government and has represented the Kolkata Port Assembly Constituency.
He took over as the Mayor of Kolkata in 2018 after the resignation of Sovan Chatterjee and has since overseen the functioning of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation.
There has been no official announcement yet regarding his successor. According to political analysts his resignation marks a significant development in Kolkata’s civic administration and is likely to have important political implications for the ruling TMC in the months ahead.
