Panchayat chief resigns amid caste cert controversy
Times of India | 22 May 2025
123 Kolkata: Trinamool Congress neta Uma Ghosh resigned from her post as pradhan of Choygharia Gram Panchayat at Bongaon in North 24 Parganas on Wednesday. The development comes amid an ongoing case involving her in the Calcutta High Court over allegations of submitting a fake caste certificate to contest the 2023 panchayat polls. Ghosh had submitted her resignation to Bongaon BDO on May 5 citing health reasons. Her resignation was accepted on May 21. After her resignation was accepted, Ghosh said, "I am so unwell that I'm unable to carry out my duties. I had verbally informed the party three months ago, but they were reluctant to let me go. Eventually, I had to resign due to my health."The controversy stems from allegations that Ghosh, who had identified herself as belonging to the General category during her school education, later submitted a Scheduled Caste (SC) certificate to contest the panchayat polls — a seat reserved for SC candidates.The All India Matua Mahasangha had filed a case last year accusing Ghosh and four other elected representatives of using forged caste certificates to contest elections. "Her resignation doesn't end the matter. We demand strict legal action," said Prasenjit Biswas, general secretary of All India Matua Mahasangha.Kolkata: Trinamool Congress neta Uma Ghosh resigned from her post as pradhan of Choygharia Gram Panchayat at Bongaon in North 24 Parganas on Wednesday. The development comes amid an ongoing case involving her in the Calcutta High Court over allegations of submitting a fake caste certificate to contest the 2023 panchayat polls. Ghosh had submitted her resignation to Bongaon BDO on May 5 citing health reasons. Her resignation was accepted on May 21. After her resignation was accepted, Ghosh said, "I am so unwell that I'm unable to carry out my duties. I had verbally informed the party three months ago, but they were reluctant to let me go. Eventually, I had to resign due to my health."The controversy stems from allegations that Ghosh, who had identified herself as belonging to the General category during her school education, later submitted a Scheduled Caste (SC) certificate to contest the panchayat polls — a seat reserved for SC candidates.The All India Matua Mahasangha had filed a case last year accusing Ghosh and four other elected representatives of using forged caste certificates to contest elections. "Her resignation doesn't end the matter. We demand strict legal action," said Prasenjit Biswas, general secretary of All India Matua Mahasangha.