5 from Ritabrata-TMC & 1 from Kalighat bloc named for PAC; Firhad Hakim frontrunner for Chairman post

Speculation has intensified within West Bengal's political circles over the appointment of the Assembly's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman after 20 MLAs submitted nomination papers for committee positions. Senior leader Firhad Hakim from the Ritabrata camp has emerged as the frontrunner for the key post. The development comes amid visible friction between the 'Kalighat' leadership faction and the Ritabrata camp regarding internal representation and parliamentary assignments.

By parliamentary convention, the post of PAC chairman is traditionally designated to an opposition legislator to ensure fiscal oversight over government expenditure. However, the proposed nomination of Hakim echoes previous political controversies in the state Assembly, such as the appointments of Mukul Roy and Manas Bhuiyan, where legislators aligned with or close to the ruling establishment were appointed to the opposition-designated role. While the 'Kalighat' faction nominated senior MLA Ashok Deb, five nominations—including Hakim, Biplob Mitra, Golam Rabbani, Kanayalal Agarwal, and Samar Mukherjee—were fielded by the Ritabrata group.

Opposition leaders previously boycotted PAC meetings when similar appointments occurred during prior legislative terms, citing violations of established democratic norms. Political observers note that assigning the oversight post to Hakim could further strain relations between rival internal factions and trigger protests from opposition benches regarding parliamentary precedent.