TMC faces turmoil in Siliguri as mayor accused of corruption
The Statesman | 20 November 2025
There is turmoil within the Trinamul-led Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC). The SMC plunged into a serious political crisis after senior Trinamul Congress councillor and member of the Mayor-in-Council (MiC) Dilip Barman openly accused Mayor Goutam Deb and the Deputy Mayor of “massive corruption,” triggering turmoil in the civic body.
In response to Mr Barman’s stand and his recent public protest against the functioning of the SMC, all 36 Trinamul councillors convened a meeting on Wednesday. They adopted a resolution against him and informed the party leadership, urging disciplinary action.
In a significant administrative move, the SMC also appointed a new MMiC, Abhya Bose, who took oath today — seen by many as a direct step to counter the vacuum created by the escalating tension.
Mr Barman, councillor from Ward 46, has been at loggerheads with the current SMC Board on various issues, including building plan approvals and demolition drives against “illegal constructions.”
On Tuesday, he made headlines after preventing an SMC team from carrying out a demolition drive. Speaking to the Media on camera, he levelled allegations of financial corruption within the civic body. Officials accompanying the demolition team were unable to proceed due to the confrontation.
Senior councillor Ranjan Shil Sharma told reporters that Mr Barman was now “under the scanner” of the party. He said the leadership was examining whether Mr Barman’s actions were aimed at damaging the public image of Mayor Goutam Deb ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.
Political observers note that Mayor Deb, who served twice as a minister in Mamata Banerjee’s Cabinet, is preparing to contest the upcoming Assembly polls from Siliguri. He previously represented the neighbouring Dabgram–Fulbari constituency in Jalpaiguri district.