West Bengal government to appoint coordinators if stay on civic polls not lifted, says CM Adhikari

KOLKATA The West Bengal government will appoint coordinators in the wards of Kolkata Municipal Corporation and Howrah Municipal Corporation if the stay on civic polls is not lifted by the Supreme Court, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said on Thursday (November 12, 2026). The Calcutta High Court on October 6 restrained the West Bengal State Election Commission from issuing any notification for the upcoming KMC elections based on newly redrawn wards until a pending petition challenging the delimitation exercise is decided.

Addressing a gathering in Howrah District, Mr. Adhikari 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. He said that similar to proposal at KMC, coordinators will be appointed for each ward in Howrah Municipal Corporation (HMC) if elections are not held in time.