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Mamata Banerjee Quits 'Office of Profit' Posts Ahead of Crucial Bengal Polls

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has resigned from various "office of profit" posts she held across several state government departments. The resignations, which include roles in environment, health, and minority affairs, are being processed by the Election Commission-controlled state administration. A senior Trinamool Congress leader stated the move was to project transparency, though not legally required. The BJP has fielded Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition, to contest against Banerjee in the Bhabanipur constituency.

Key Points: Mamata Banerjee Resigns from Office of Profit Posts Before Bengal Polls

  • Resignation ahead of polls
  • Covers key state departments
  • No official binding to resign
  • BJP fields Suvendu Adhikari against her
2 min read

Mamata Banerjee resigns from different 'office of profit' posts before Bengal polls

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee resigns from multiple office of profit posts ahead of Assembly elections, a move seen as promoting transparency.

"The Chief Minister took the decision to resign from these posts to send a message of transparency - Senior TMC Leader"

Kolkata, March 24

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday night resigned from different "office of profit" posts that she had been holding as of now amid the crucial two-phase Assembly polls in West Bengal scheduled next month.

Mamata Banerjee is a Trinamool Congress candidate from the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency in South Kolkata.

Based on the resignation of the Chief Minister from these "office-of-profit" posts, the state administration, which is currently under the direct authority of the Election Commission of India (ECI), with the model code of conduct being in force, initiated all necessary steps to implement the resignations at the earliest, said an insider from the state secretariat, Nabanna.

"The Chief Minister resigned from various posts with immediate effect, and the departments concerned have been asked to complete the process of accepting his resignation at the earliest. Her resignation will be acceptable both for the listed posts and also for the posts that she is holding in any organisation or committee beyond that. The departments concerned have also been instructed to submit a report on the matter within a specified time frame," the insider from the state secretariat added.

It is learnt that the state government departments where the Chief Minister had been holding the "office of profit" posts and where she had resigned include environment, forest, health, and minority affairs, among others.

Apart from that, she also resigned from the "office of profit" posts that she had been holding so far in organisations like the West Bengal Disaster Management Authority and West Bengal Public Policy and Planning Board, among others.

"The Chief Minister took the decision to resign from these posts to send a message of transparency, though there is no official binding on her to do so," said a senior leader of Trinamool Congress and also a member of the state cabinet.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has fielded the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, against the Chief Minister from Bhabanipur.

Adhikari is also contesting from the Nandigram Assembly constituency in East Midnapore, where he is already a sitting and two-time legislator.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Classic last-minute move before elections. Why hold so many posts in the first place? This should be the norm, not an exception to show off. The model code of conduct forced her hand, let's be honest.
A
Aman W
Good step by Didi. Holding multiple positions can dilute focus on core governance. Hope this sets a precedent for other CMs across parties. Bengal needs undivided attention on development.
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Sarah B
Interesting to see the Election Commission's authority in action here. The process seems to be moving swiftly. A healthy sign for our electoral integrity.
V
Vikram M
The fight in Bhabanipur and Nandigram is going to be epic! Adhikari vs Banerjee directly. This resignation is just the opening act of the political drama. 🍿
K
Kavya N
While I appreciate the move, I wish it wasn't always tied to elections. We need permanent rules that prevent concentration of power in so many "offices of profit" for any sitting minister.

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