BJP protests at Bhatpara Municipality over stalled civic services and absent councillors

A large protest was staged by Bharatiya Janata Party leaders and workers in front of the Bhatpara Municipality on Monday over allegations of disrupted civic services and the absence of councillors and municipal officials following the change of power in West Bengal. Protesters claimed that administrative work at the municipality had remained largely paralysed since the Assembly election results were announced on May 4.

According to allegations raised during the protest, no councillor or the municipal chairman has been attending office since the election results. BJP leaders claimed that several essential civic services, including issuance of birth and death certificates, garbage management and water supply, had been severely affected. They also alleged that important municipal files remained unsigned, resulting in a complete halt in official work and causing inconvenience to residents.

During the demonstration, BJP workers raised slogans inside the municipal premises and demanded immediate administrative intervention. Party leaders called for the appointment of an administrator to run the municipality in the absence of elected representatives. They also demanded restoration of suspended civic services and action against those allegedly responsible for abandoning administrative duties.

A heavy police presence was deployed around the municipal building to maintain law and order during the protest programme. BJP leaders warned that the party would intensify its agitation if an administrator was not appointed soon and civic services were not restored. Residents in the area continued to face uncertainty regarding regular municipal services amid the ongoing administrative situation.