Suvendu Adhikari Announces Ward Coordinators for Howrah from December 1 if Civic Polls Remain Delayed

PTI, Nov 12, 2026, Howrah: Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday said the state government would appoint coordinators in the wards of the Howrah Municipal Corporation from December 1 if civic polls could not be held by then, reiterating that only people supportive of his dispensation would be considered for the posts.

Addressing a Chhath Puja programme at Kazipara here, Adhikari also accused opposition parties of obstructing the electoral process, and alleged that residents had been deprived of elected civic representation and proper municipal services for years.

"Those who are likely to lose their security deposits in the elections are the ones obstructing the process," the Chief Minister said, warning that he would approach the Supreme Court against attempts to delay the civic polls, and make the move to appoint coordinators if he failed to get a legal redress on time.

Adhikari maintained that municipal corporations could not be administered indefinitely by government officials, as bureaucrats had their own limitations, and could not fully substitute elected representatives.

"We will appoint only those as coordinators who stand by the government and do not oppose it," he said.

Stating that basic civic amenities like clean drinking water, proper roads, street lights, primary schools and health centres are people's rights, the Chief Minister accused the Opposition of thwarting those requirements.

"They (the Opposition) are opposed to democracy. We are trying to establish democracy on the ground," he said.

The announcement came amid uncertainty over the civic polls in Kolkata, following a November 6 Calcutta High Court order.