“No point continuing after this result”: Uttam Barik steps down as Purba Medinipur Zilla Parishad chief

Uttam Barik has resigned from the post of Sabhadhipati (Chairperson) of the Purba Medinipur Zilla Parishad, submitting his resignation letter at the office of the Divisional Commissioner in Medinipur on Friday. Barik said there was no reason for him to continue in the position following the outcome of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election, in which he was defeated from the Chandipur Assembly constituency.

Speaking about his decision, Barik said, “After this result, there is no point in my remaining in the position.” Administrative sources indicated that he had largely stayed away from public appearances and had not been actively involved in Zilla Parishad affairs since the Assembly election results were declared on May 4. He had reportedly remained politically inactive following his electoral defeat.

Barik became the Sabhadhipati of the Purba Medinipur Zilla Parishad after the 2023 panchayat elections and was responsible for overseeing administrative and developmental work in the district. According to administrative sources, he had not been seen at the Zilla Parishad office since the Assembly election results were announced. Separate accounts surrounding the resignation stated that personal reasons were cited in the resignation letter, though no further official details have been disclosed.

His resignation has created a vacancy in the top elected post of the Purba Medinipur Zilla Parishad and has raised questions regarding the future administrative arrangement of the body. The development comes amid multiple resignations by elected representatives at different levels of local governance in Purba Medinipur in recent weeks, including panchayat samiti presidents, gram panchayat heads and other local representatives.