K'pong civic body chief calls it quits

Rabi Pradhan (extreme right) and Bhim Agrawal (extreme left) Proposed Chairman and Vice Chairman of Kalimpong Municipality with Anit Thapa (Centre) GTA Vice Chairman

SNS, KALIMPONG, 14 DECEMBER: Following a protracted power struggle and confusion at the Kalimpong Municipality, chairman Suva Pradhan finally put in his papers today, minutes before ward councilors were supposed to float a no-confidence motion against the chief.

Mr Pradhan said he didnot want to "fragment the house" by staying put and allowing the no-trust vote. "The vote could have yielded any result, but I could not see a family breaking down and divided by politics, That is the very reason why I decided to step down," he said.

talking to reporters, Mr Pradhan added that he has, however, not resigned as the ward councilor and that he would continue to work with the rest of the councilors on matters that would benefit the town. "There is always a team, and I am in the same team. It's just that the captain has changed," he said.

He had firmly stood by his decision to contest today's vote ever since he received the requisition from councilors supporting the Binay Tamang-Anit Thapa faction of the councilors on 4 December. It may be noted that Mr Pradhan had also resigned from the Bimal Gurung faction of the Morcha on 2 December.

Asked if he resigned under duress and pressure from any quarter, including the administration, he said he is glad that the administration has been chasing the ones who were involved in violence.

'We have not done anything that would require an FIR or other legal procedures. I was not under pressure of the administration," he said, adding that the Municipality should work independently and not have party affiliation.

The board now has to accept his resignation. After issuing a notice of three days, a seven-day time will be given to the board to accept the resignation, while a new chairperson and vice- chairperson will have to be chosen in another seven days.

However, councilors who voiced against the chairman went ahead with the vote today, even though Mr Pradhan had already tendered his resignation. They started the process of removal of the chairman and voted on the floor. Twenty of the 22 votes fell for the removal of the chief, while only two voted for the chairman to stay.

Clarifying on the 'unnecessary' exercise, councilor of Ward-3 Rabi Pradhan, said, "He resigned on his own free will. However, what if he comes up with excuses like

he resigned under pressure, within 7 days of the acceptance of the letter? That is why we went for the vote."

The process to elect a new chief will be held on 20 December, it is learnt.

Meanwhile, vice-chairman of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration board, Anit Thapa, who was present at the municipality today, said they have proposed Rabi Pradhan and Bhim Agrawal councilor of Ward-9, for the post of the chairman and vice-chairman, respectively.

Mr Thapa also said that Sonam Yakha, who has been with his faction of the Morcha since "day one," will be made the GTA tourism department's chairman.

Municipality executive officer, Debyendu Shekhar Das, said the house will accept Mr Pradhan's resignation within seven days, and that Mr Pradhan would continue as the municipality chief until a new chairperson is had.